FRAME DECORATION

Forty-eight floral bouquets fill the frame spaces between statuette niches and head tondi, comprising four principal types (ivy, acanthus, rose, oak), and two others, each unique. Two thirds of the bouquets are pairs of the same type, several similar in appearance, placed above and below statuettes, possibly with symbolic intent. Twenty bouquetss are decorative classically-derived acanthus spirals or double-spirals, many ending in buds or flowers. The other eighteen are identifiable plants, most tied with ribbon or cord. Nine groups shelter partly-concealed lizards, insects, etc. Unclean animals (Leviticus 11.30, 42), they hide in, or feed off, the fruitful foliage, and are probably symbols of sin or evil. The floral bouquets above the tondi are superimposed on narrow-waisted vase-like forms. Vittorio Ghiberti's decorative outer frame, which features more luxuriant vegetation with fruit, vegetables, birds, a squirrel etc. was not duplicated for the Grace Cathedral doors.

Bouquets are listed below in pairs, flanking each row of reclining statuettes, and above and below each row of standing statuettes. Bouquets illustrated are in bold type.

First row (horizontal panels): acanthus / Eve / acanthus; rose (and lizard) / Adam / rose (and lizard)

Second/Third row: cherry? (and insect) / Ezekiel? / almond?; acanthus / Jeremiah? / rose; oak / Beautiful Maiden / oak; ivy / Joab? / ivy

Fourth/Fifth row: acanthus / Elijah? / rose; acanthus / Jonah / acanthus; acanthus / Hannah? / violet; ivy / Sampson / ivy (and insect)

Sixth/Seventh row: oak / Male Prophet / oak; acanthus (and frog) / Rachel? / ivy; acanthus / Male Prophet / ivy; acanthus / Male Prophet / acanthus

Eighth/Ninth row: acanthus / Miriam / acanthus; rose / Aaron / violet (and frog); acanthus / Joshua / acanthus; acanthus / Gideon? / acanthus

Tenth/Eleventh row: rose / Judith / rose; acanthus / Nathan? / ivy; ivy / Female Prophet / ivy (and cicada?); ivy / Balaam? / ivy (and cricket?)

Twelfth row (horizontal panels): acanthus / Noah / acanthus; acanthus / Noah's Wife / acanthus