18th Century French Carved Walnut Panel of Saint Radegonde and the Grand’Goule

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Radegonde (or Radegund) is the subject of this amazing French walnut panel dating to the 1700s. The low relief panel, … Read more Radegonde (or Radegund) is the subject of this amazing French walnut panel dating to the 1700s. The low relief panel, which is surrounded by several layers of thin molding, has a rich, dark brown patina. Saint Radegonde is depicted with a foliate crozier in her right hand and her left hand over her chest. She is clad in long, flowing robes with a cowl. A stylized sunburst can be seen in the upper right corner.

A Thuringian (in what is now part of central Germany) princess born circa 520, Radegonde would later become Queen of the Franks (modern-day France). Radegonde is closely tied to the French city of Poitiers, as she founded the Abbey of the Holy Cross there in 552. The abbey was the first monastery for women in the Frankish Empire. Additionally, the legend of Radegonde states that she slew the Grand’Goule that terrorized Poitiers. If you look closely at the panel, you can see Radegonde standing on top of the vanquished dragon. Canonized in the 9th century, Radegonde is the patroness saint of Jesus College, Cambridge, as well as several churches. This beautiful carving of Saint Radegonde and the Grand’Goule would make a wonderful decorative addition to any wall of the house. See less