Saints Peter, Paul and James

myminifactory

Pulpits of this era typically featured two reading platforms, one dedicated to proclaiming the Gospels and another for delivering Epistles - the letters penned by apostles. The left pedestal, adorned with a man representing St Matthew, a lion signifying St Mark, and an ox embodying St Luke, relates to the Gospels themselves. Meanwhile, the lectern itself would have taken on the form of an eagle, symbolizing St John's authority. On the other pedestal stands St Paul, one of the primary authors of the Epistles. This intricate carving is part of a large sculpted pulpit and originally situated directly below a reading platform. The three figures depicted are Saints Peter, Paul, and James, with St Paul taking center stage due to his significant contributions as the author of most Epistles, which were read aloud at this particular lectern. Another carving acquired concurrently (Museum Number 5799-1859) would have served as the pedestal for the Gospel reading platform, from which gospel accounts of Christ's life were narrated during worship services. Both pedestals may originate from a single pulpit that has since been destroyed. Crafted in the workshop of Nicola Pisano, Pisa circa 1270.