Rheims and the Battles for its Possession

by Pneu Michelin

On the plinth of the dividing pillar is a bas-relief, remarkable for its delicate carving.

DIVIDING-PILLAR OF THE LEFT-HAND DOOR OF THE NORTHERN TRANSEPT
The statue of Christ was decapitated by a shell.
On the plinth is the legend of the Master-draper (see text opposite).

According to local tradition, this plinth was erected at the expense of a dishonest master-draper, convicted of selling by false measure.

On the left, the merchant is seen in his shop. In front of the counter, customers of both sexes look at the outspread stuffs, while clerks write in books.

On the right, the merchant kneels before a statue of the Virgin in penance.

Near-by, burgesses talk together and seem to judge the delinquent's conduct severely.

The six statues against the walls represent the apostles: on the right, St. John, St. James and St. Paul; on the left, St. Andrew, St. Peter and St. Bartholomew.

The rose is carved in a voussoir; the uprights are decorated with statues of Adam and Eve in long tunics, and the arch with twenty-two groups of small figures depicting, from left to right, the story of Adam and Eve, the various tasks to which they and their descendants were condemned, and the story of Cain and Abel.