The catafalque (1642)
The cross-arms of Adam and Eve evoke redemption through the death of Christ. In their hands, the candle holders symbolize the light of Christ’s resurrection.
At funerals,
the catafalque was deployed to receive the coffin surrounded by 12 candles:
4 on each pew,
2 with Adam and 2 with Eve, which corresponds to the 12 apostles
Except burial,
the whole was folded up, as you see it today. On the side panels you can still see the Ankoù, the angel of death, with his scythe and a cartouche on which you could read .
| Qui spéculum cernis | At the sight of this mirror |
| Cur non mortalia spernis | Why not despise perishable things |
| Tali namque domo | For it is in such a dwelling |
| Clauditus omnis homo | What is locked up every mortal |
Adam and Eve are retractable. Eve is dressed in a black dress and under her left foot the apple of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. She crushes the fruit, a sign that she regrets her disobedience.
Adam, on the other hand, is almost naked and is covered with a long black scarf that wraps around his body. There is a reference to Isaiah 25:7: “He will remove the veil of mourning that enveloped all peoples and the shroud that covered all nations. He will destroy death forever. « . It is this shroud that we notice on the paintings of the resurrection of Christ, the new Adam.
Adam’s position is surprising because it is a priori uncomfortable. He crosses his legs in an improbable way. This crossing symbolizes another emblematic tree of the terrestrial paradise, the tree of Life. There are two other representations of it on the paintings painted on wood of the baptismal font: the baptism of Christ and that of a child. These are two trees that intersect and recall the tree of life as well as the cross of the victim.
Saint Barbara Altar
The elegant statue of Ste Barbe is from the 15th century, and probably of Flemish origin. The altarpiece is from the 17th century. The altar is a stone altar-table, entirely consecrated, supported by pillars probably coming from a Roman temple and a slab placed on the ground. This is a rare form in the 17th and 18th centuries. This altar could be the original altar of the place.
the Sainte Barbe altar is backed by a massive Ionic column. The keystones represent mistletoe palmettes, druidic symbols.
