ticketsMember | Make a donation

Lectern for the Reading of the Gospels with the Eagle of Saint John the Evangelist

ca. 1301, with later additions
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 305
Sculpted by Giovanni Pisano, one of the finest sculptors of the Gothic period, this lectern was once a part of the pulpit at the Church of Sant' Andrea at Pistoia. It is in the shape of an imposing full-size figure of an eagle, grasping a book in its talons, which stands with head erect, facing to its left, wings held poised as if ready for flight. The head is a later replacement. A marble bookrest, hexagonal in form with a protruding ledge at the bottom, meant to hold the Gospels for liturgical reading, rests on the bird's wings. The eagle served as the crowning element of a Tetramorph, a sculptural composite of the symbols of the four Evangelists.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Lectern for the Reading of the Gospels with the Eagle of Saint John the Evangelist
  • Artist: Giovanni Pisano (Italian, Pisa ca. 1240–1319 Siena)
  • Date: ca. 1301, with later additions
  • Geography: Made in Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy
  • Culture: Italian
  • Medium: Marble
  • Dimensions: Overall: 27 3/4 x 24 3/16 x 16in. (70.5 x 61.5 x 40.6cm)
  • Classification: Sculpture-Stone
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1918
  • Object Number: 18.70.28
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Pilaster (Tetramorph) from the Parapet of a Pulpit with Symbol of the Evangelists, Giovanni Pisano Italian, Marble (Lunense marble from Carrara), traces of paint, Central Italian
Pilaster (Tetramorph) from the Parapet of a Pulpit with Symbol of the Evangelists
Giovanni Pisano
ca. 1302–10
Pilaster of Angels Sounding Trumpets from the Parapet of a Pulpit, Giovanni Pisano Italian, Marble (Lunense from Carrara), traces of paint, Central Italian
Pilaster of Angels Sounding Trumpets from the Parapet of a Pulpit
Giovanni Pisano
1302–10
Pilaster of Angels Sounding Trumpets from the Parapet of a Pulpit, Giovanni Pisano Italian, Marble (Lunense from Carrara), traces of paint, Central Italian
Pilaster of Angels Sounding Trumpets from the Parapet of a Pulpit
Giovanni Pisano
1302–10
Tomb Effigy Bust of Marie de France (1327-41), daughter of Charles IV of France and Jeanne d'Evreux, Jean de Liège Franco-Netherlandish, Marble with lead inlays, French
Tomb Effigy Bust of Marie de France (1327-41), daughter of Charles IV of France and Jeanne d'Evreux
Jean de Liège
ca. 1381
Doorway from the Church of San Nicolò, San Gemini, Marble (Lunense marble from Carrara), Central Italian
Doorway from the Church of San Nicolò, San Gemini
Central Italian
carved 1000s, assembled 1100s or 1200s

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Showing 4 of 6

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.