St Michael tympanum, Palais Jacques Coeur, Bourges, France

Relief on the tympanum of the postern or pedestrian entrance, restored by Caudron in the 19th century, with St Michael the archangel holding a phylactery and a vase of fleur de lys, symbol of purity, on the main facade of the Palais Jacques Coeur, huge manor house built 1443-51 in Flamboyant Gothic style, on the Place Jacques Coeur, Bourges, France. The 3 fleur de lys flowers are in 3 stages of maturity, showing the cycle of life. Both the vase and fate flowers are hexagonal, like the Seal of Solomon. St Michael stands on the coat of arms of Jacques Coeur, with 3 hearts and 3 shells (coquilles Saint-Jacques). St Michael is a reference to Notre Dame Saint-Michel, the first galley chartered by Jacques Coeur. The angel hovering represents interactions between earth and air. The fruit trees may also link to red and white sulphur. Jacques Coeur, 1395-1456, was a wealthy merchant and was made master of the mint to King Charles VII in 1438. Fulcanelli stated that Jacques Coeur was an alchemist and it is believed that some of these symbols refer to alchemy. The building is listed as a historic monument. Picture by Manuel Cohen

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1443-51 Alchemical Alchemy Archangel Armorial Bourges Caudron Centre-val Cher Civic Coeur Coquille Fleur Heraldic Hermetic Maturity Phylactery Postern Saint-jacques Saint-michel Scroll Solomon Tympanum

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