Relief carving of St. James

Unknown

A figure of St James [Sant Iago] of Compostela in jet. This was a souvenir of a pilgrimage to the shrine of St James at Santiago de Compostela, Spain. St James stands barefooted, with a kneeling pilgrim or disciple to one side. The saint clasps a staff in his right hand, from which hangs a purse and rosary beads. The figure is wearing a characteristic wide-brimmed hat, ornamented with a scallop shell, the latter being the celebrated emblem of the shrine of St James. Although it is not known where this figure was found, some details are reproduced in Irish stone carvings of the time, suggesting that souvenirs of this type were brought back by Irish pilgrims.