Religious objects - Enamel, Limoges - 1600-1650 - Saint Hieronymus Limoges

Small plaque depicting the famous bible translator Saint Hieronymus ( + 420) sitting at a table with crucifix, bible and skull; a lion waiting at his right side. Email of Limoges (France) late 16th or early 17th century.

Saint Hieronymus was born in Stridon in Dalmatia (Slovenia), became a secretary to pope Damasus who commisioned him to translate the Greek bible into Latin. The result of Hieronymus work is the Vulgate-translation and was used for more than 1300 years in the Roman Catholic church.

St.Hieronymus is often depicted with a lion because a miracle story tells that he once - while translating - met a lion with a thorn in his claw. St.Hieronymus wasn't afraid at all and helped the lion to get rid of the thorn. Afterwards the lion was always in his neighbourhood and helped to guard the donkey of the monk and to get firewood.

The plaque is of good quality and in original condition. There is a small restauration in the left corner below.

This object comes from an important private collection of religious art in the Northern part of the Netherlands.

Registered shipping.