Carolingian sculptures

These pieces of sculpted stone from the former cathedral of Saint-Vincent are the only conserved remains of one of the first states of the site prior to its reconstruction in the eleventh century. Of the cathedral destroyed following the French Revolution, the two towers of the facade can still be admired.

This collection is the fruit of discoveries made during construction of the public halls in 1856, on the site of the cathedral’s chevet. These items, from the late ninth or early tenth century, are attributed to liturgical furnishings of the Carolingian church. Most of the items correspond to the plaques of several chancels, screens partitioning the liturgical space. While very damaged, an idea of their spatial positioning, between pilasters, of which at least two remain, can be given.

The patterns are varied and recall examples made of marble from ninth-century Italy and the Rhône Valley: three-strand entrelacs, palmette panels, rinceaux, helices, cross pattées, fleurons, flower, tree of life.