17th Century Carved Oak Wood Panels, Set of 2

Sublime pair of carved oak panels, featuring two distinct representations of one of the first apostles of Christ, Saint James the Greater.

The first panel reveals a pilgrim apostle, under a huge carved scallop shell, like a halo, a majestic old man, bearded, dressed in a long coat and a pilgrim's coat decorated with scallops (the most recurrent attribute since the 12th century, which represents the accomplishment of the pilgrimage and rewards the arrival in Compostela), his eyes full of faith, turned to the right, holding in his right hand his hat with raised brim and in his left hand his pilgrim's staff. 
Under his feet, we have the sun struck in the heart of the coat of arms of Catalonia, sublimating an exceptional frieze of oak leaves and flowers symbolising generous strength, resistance, solidity and invincibility.   
In Ancient Greece, it was also the symbol of Freedom and Honour. Its oak leaves and branches were used to crown the winning athletes in sporting events.
 
The second panel shows an evangelizing apostle, also as a majestic old man, bearded, wearing a long cloak and a pilgrim's robe, his eyes full of faith turned to the left, with his pilgrim's staff in his right hand and the book of the good news in his left hand. Underneath his feet is the sun struck in the heart of the coat of arms of Catalonia, sublimating an exceptional frieze of oak leaves and flowers, bringing solidity, invincibility and honours. 

Period: 17th Century
Dimensions : Height : 122cm x Width : 12cm

These two magnificent representations of Saint James are a beautiful tribute to the Treaty of the Pyrenees, signed on November 7, 1659 between the Kings of France Louis XIV and Spain Philippe IV, which attached Roussillon to France.

Since the 12th century, a multitude of pilgrims have taken the Catalan roads to Santiago. One of the most famous of them was Saint Francis of Assisi who stopped in Perpignan in 1211 and 1215, on his way to and from Santiago de Compostela. 
On this occasion, he created the Franciscan monastery to welcome pilgrims. 

Nowadays, the "Catalan Way", established as the Way to Santiago, originates in Montpellier, Béziers and Narbonne. It reaches Spain at the Panissars Pass and continues into southern Catalonia.