This sculpture on one side of a capital of the column in the apse of the Basilica of Notre-Dame du Port in Clermont Ferrand. This capital with Charity on the left and Avarice on the right dates from the beginning of the 12th century. Charity is representaed by a knight in armor holding a shield and a sword, with a calm and protective demeanor. Representing Avarice, is a figure with a bearded face and a serpent-like creature, symbolizing greed corruption, and vice.
Charity Theme Pages
Charity, along with Hope and Faith, is one of the three qualities that St. Paul, in his letters, associated with salvation. Often portrayed as woman give bread to orphans, or as a pelican that tears at its breast to feeds it young.
This stained glass window (c1898) by Heaton, Butler, & Bayne reprents Faith, Hope, Charity is in St. Mary the Virgin, Staverton, Northamptonshire.