Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: chapiteau aux têtes

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Some of them is really fantastic. A really breathtaking carving is just under this capital, decorated with a very symmetrical wave. There is a ring, going all around the pillar, consisting out of 21 human heads. All these 21 faces have a different look, a different facial expression. All have nimbuses, so to be seen here are 21 saints. The carving is so delicate, the composition is so perfect, that these faces seem to be younger, than the other carvings. The same impression, that I had, when I saw the huge figures sitting on the roof. But neither them, nor these are younger. This ring was carved probably before 1200. Even Robert Will was surprised. In "Alsace romane" (Éditions Zodiaque) he points out, that these are the romanesque originals - and not "copies" done later. The mastercarver, who did this chain of faces, choose the seize of the heads to create exactly 21 faces for the whole circle. I think he choose 21, as this is 7 multliplied by 3. 3 (God) plus 4 (world). = 7 God + World x God. = 21 Well, that´s not more than a meager theory! Or - maybe - his wife just had her 21. birthday. That would be another theory.

The construction of the "Église Saints-Pierre-et-Paul" started around 1150. The church is known for the carvings. Some of them is really fantastic. The ring, going all around the pillar, is consisting out of 21 human heads. All these 21 faces have a different look, a different facial expression. All have nimbuses, so to be seen here are 21 saints. The carving is so delicate, the composition is so perfect, that these faces seem to be younger, than the other carvings. The same impression, that I had, when I saw the huge figures sitting on the roof. But neither them, nor these are younger. This ring was carved probably before 1200. Even Robert Will was surprised. In "Alsace romane" (Éditions Zodiaque) he points out, that these are the romanesque originals - and not "copies" done later. The mastercarver, who did this chain of faces, choose the seize of the heads to create exactly 21 faces for the whole circle. I think he choose 21, as this is 7 multliplied by 3. 3 (God) plus 4 (world). = 7 God + World x God. = 21 Well, that´s not more than a meager theory! Or - maybe - his wife just had her 21. birthday. That would be another theory.