French; Paris, from the Chapel of Saint-Louis, north aisle, royal abbey of Saint-Denis
Pot-metal and white glass, silver stain: Each 23 1/2 x 15 1/4 in. (59.7 x 38.7 cm)
The Cloisters Collection, 1982 (1982.433.3,4)
Traditionally thought to have come from the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, this pair of grisaille panels is now attributed to the Chapel of Saint-Louis at the royal abbey of Saint-Denis. Their distinctive feature, the inclusion of the small fleurs-de-lis, which sprout, budlike, from the stems of the foliage, is unique to these panels and to four other related examplesa detail that may well indicate that the glass was created for a royal foundation. The most likely candidate is Saint-Denis, the royal necropolis, where a nave chapel dedicated to Louis IXwho was canonized as Saint Louis in 1297was completed by 1324. The rebuilding of the abbey church began shortly after Louis ascended to the throne and continued throughout most of his reign (122670).




















