Description
North Porch, Central Portal, Right Jambs: Peter- Detail
Peter (haloed) is dressed as a pope with a conical mitre. He carries his attribute, keys.
He wears a pallium and a square breastplate with twelve precious stones. (described in Exodus 28:17-20). In the Old Testament, priests wore this to symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. In the Christian Church, it is said to stand for the twelve apostles.
Note the armature from the halo to the back of his head.
Kidson and other scholars believe this statue and the statue of Melchisodech opposite it, were added later when the buttress was cut back to allow the construction of the North Porch. (Kidson, p. 33).
Subject
Cathédrale de Chartres--Pictorial works.;Church decoration and ornament--France--Chartres--Pictorial works.;Church architecture--France--Chartres--Pictorial works.;Christian art and symbolism--France--Chartres--Medieval, 500-1500--Pictorial works.