Description
Most scholars, including Salet, agree that this is the Old Testament story of Jacob receiving Isaac's blessing. Genesis 27: 1-30 Isaac, who was blind, wished to give his blessing to his oldest son, Esau . However, his wife Rebecca has his younger son Jacob successfully impersonate Esau and receive Isaac's blessing. Jacob's hands are covered with a pelt so that Isaac can feel what he believes to be Esau's hairy hands.
On the left side of the capital Esau returns from the hunt. (not visible in this image)
In the front side of the capital, Isaac and Jacob face one another under two arches (representing the inside of a building?), To the left, Isaac is seated on a low backed, decorated chair He has a beard and his eyes are closed. He extends his hands to cover those of Jacob- a beardless figure standing to the right. Jacob's hands are clasped together and covered with a pelt. (This gesture is like the one used in many parts of Europe when a vassal swore fealty to his feudal lord)
At right side of the capital stands a female figure wearing a long, belted garment and a cloth (veil) on her head. This is probably Rebecca, wife of Isaac. She is looking toward the central scene, and her palms are clasped together in front of her chin and neck (a gesture of glee?? Prayer??)
Salet number 30
Alternate search terms (See text above for synonyms): seat, stool.
