the pyramidal capital carved on two sides, at the left, the serpent in the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden tempting a naked Adam, at center, the intercessory image with Christ enthroned in majesty within a mandorla, flanked by a male saint (Saint John the Evangelist?) and a female figure (probably the Virgin Mary), to her right, Saint Peter holding the key to Heaven, and an eagle (the symbol of Saint John as well as of Christ’s divine nature) in a tree.

This is both an image of Christ in majesty as well as an intercessory image that presents Christ (via the saints) as the path to salvation for all mankind.  At the far right♔, Peter, “Prince of the Apostles,” recognized Christ’s role as mankind’s savior and will usher the blessed into heaven.  On either side of the enthroned Christ, Mary and Saint John pray on behalf of mankind, represented by the figure of Adam.  Adam’s sin of accepting the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge from the serpent, doomed mankind to a life of hard labor and toil.  However, the birth of Christ from Mary’s virgin womb cleansed the sin of mankind, thus making Mary a particularly effective intercessor for the faithful.