Offered by Don Verboven - Exquisite Objects
Sandstone fragment with remains of polychromy - Flanders - 15th century (ca. 1480).
Fragment of a stone altarpiece.
David (which in Hebrew means "Beloved") is an important figure in the Bible as the third king of the unified Monarchy of Israel and Judah after Saul and Ish-boshet.
Along with Solomon, his son and successor, he is one of the major founders of the Israelite state. He is also the main author of the psalms.
The biblical character of David is also present in the Koran. He appears in the Qur'an under the name of Daoud, the prophet-king.
For Christians, the harp represents sacred music and is an emblem of King David.
As stated in the Bible: "Whenever the spirit sent by God came upon Saul, David took his harp and played. Then Saul felt relieved and improved, and the evil spirit left him."(1 Samuel 16:23)