Saint Mark and the Lion

Bearded, the evangelist is dressed in a tunic with a rounded collar decorated with chevrons. He places his left hand on his lectern while the lion points to the scroll, indicating what he should write. A part of the fleur-de-lis that adorns this side of the capital is missing.

Tradition links the lion to the Gospel of Mark because it begins with the episode of Saint John the Baptist preaching in the desert, likened to a roaring lion.

Ivory Plaque: Saint Mark and the Lion
Valley of the Meuse, between 1150 and 1200
Louvre Museum, inv. OA 6331
Photo © Marc Gil