The Wise (left) and the Fool (right). The sablière come from Saint Nicolas’ Church.
Aquamanile Aristote's Lay.Aquamaniles were considered as the most artistic everyday life objects in the Middle Ages.
Coming from the latin words aqua which means water and manus which means hand. Aquamaniles were made for the washing of hands. Usually representing a horseman or a man dressed with an armour, this one depicts a horsewoman (Phyllis) riding a man (Aristotle). Phyllis, abandoned by Alexander on Aristotle’s advice, decides to have her revenge and she seduces Aristotle. She wants him to prove his love and devotion by allowing her to ride on him. Once Aristotle agreed she started singing a lay (eight-foot verse).
Reliquary of Duchess Anne's Heart.This reliquary used to contain Duchess Anne of Brittany’s heart. According to the Duchess’ wish, her heart was deposed in her parents’ tomb (Duke François II and Marguerite of Foix) in the Church of Carmes (Nantes). The tomb was removed in 1727 from the Church to the Cathedral.
The heart is surmounted by a golden crown made of 9 fleurs-de-lys alternating with 9 clovers.
Here is the transcription of the inscriptions written on the reliquary as a tribute to Duchess Anne:
Obverse: In this small vessel / Made of pure gold / Rests one of the greatest hearts / A woman had in this world / Anne was her name / She became Queen twice / Duchess of the Bretons / Regal and Sovereign
Reverse: This heart was so generous / Its liberal virtue made good / From the earth to the sky / But Good took back its better part / And this terrestrial part / Remains with us in this significant mourning
