Object type
figure
Culture/period
Medieval
Materials
plaster, iron
Technique
moulding
Mint
Production date
1300 / 1500
Current location
Reserves
Archaeological site
Olèrdola. Església de Sant Miquel (sector 06)
Township
Olèrdola (Alt Penedès)
Dimensions
330 x 200 x 170 mm
Description
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Grotesque face representing a devil, with its mouth closed. The piece was applied to a surface and supported on a base. In the central part of the piece there is an iron bar, which was recovered, together with other pieces, in the 2007 excavation in the church of Sant Miquel d'Olèrdola, within the framework of the restoration project of the pre-Romanesque and Romanesque building. The plaster objects were hidden in a liturgical cabinet located on the north facing of the nave, near the chancel arch. This cupboard was related to a raised choir located in this space. The heads of demons, an angel and a saint had been hidden in it, which is related to the belief that the destruction of certain religious figures brought bad luck.
This piece, together with the other similar elements, was probably part of the Gothic main altarpiece, in a rural style, dedicated to Saint Michael and that presided over the apse. These are the only remains of the supposed altarpiece. The figure of the devil is closely related to Saint Michael, since he will be in charge of the weight of souls on the day of the Last Judgment. Saint Michael is the main archangel, head of the heavenly armies and prince of angels. This double figure is reflected in abundant iconography, where we can see him defeating the dragon / devil. In medieval iconography, Saint Michael presides over the scene of psychostasis, which shows the day of the Last Judgment. The saint is in charge of the weight of souls and is permanently vigilant against the devil's tricks, unbalancing one of the two scales so that the soul of a deceased person goes to hell and not to heaven.
© Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya - Barcelona
Omeka ID
2301