44 FLORAL SYMBOLISM 



Saint Peter in Rome. They are of bronze, and 

 were executed between 1439 and 1445 by Antonio 

 Filarete. There are two panels with elaborate 

 borders and much interesting detail. On one 

 is Saint Peter with the keys and on the other 

 Saint Paul. Saint Paul is of the traditional 

 type, bald and bearded, and holds in his right 

 hand a drawn sword. By his side is a large vase 

 of lilies, and on the highest flower, its beak 

 touching the sword's hilt, is the Dove, encircled 

 by a halo. The lilies and the Dove are introduced 

 apparently to correct the impression of violence 

 given by the uplifted sword, the instrument of the 

 Apostle's martyrdom, and together represent- 

 ing the Holy Spirit, they recall Saint Paul's own 

 phrase, ' the sword of the Spirit.' 



As an attribute of God the Son, lilies are used 

 in those pictures known as Adorations, where the 

 divine Child is laid upon the ground and the 

 Mother kneels before Him in worship; and in 

 those pictures where she holds Him, no longer a 

 very young infant, on a ledge or pedestal before 

 her. In these pictures all the symboHsm refers 

 to the Child, and if He He among roses and hlies 

 they signify respectively divine love and perfect 



