Les Stalles de l'Eglise Abbatiale Saint-Robert - La Chaise-Dieu, France - Wooden Church Artefacts on Waymarking.com

"Wanted by Pope Clement VI, they were not installed until the beginning of the 15th century. They are oak. If the repetition effect is interesting, on the other hand, the sculptures remain relatively simple, with the exception of the extremities and, near the rood screen, the stalls of the abbot and his prior on either side of the door. Only the culs-de-lampe above the stalls show a diversity, not devoid of poetry or even humour.

There are 144 (12 x 12) for the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. This figure does not correspond to the number of monks present in the abbey. It refers to the text of Revelation3: "And I heard the number of those who were sealed: they were one hundred and forty-four thousand, from all the tribes of the sons of Israel" and symbolizes the totality of those who are saved and which the monks prefigure by their life totally given to God.

The seat of each of these stalls can be raised. This allowed the elderly and tired monks to be half-sitting half-standing to sing the often long offices. For this reason, this raised seat is called a mercy. The sculptures of these misericords are sober and essentially represent foliage."

Sources : The stalls seat

"https://www.abbaye-chaise-dieu.com/visites/eglise-abbatiale/ "

Sources : Les Stalles