Cardiotaphe

Louise de Quengo (1584-1656) was buried wearing a Carmelite habit. It was composed of both civil elements characteristic of the refinements due to her rank (headdress, footwear (pair of covered buttoned socks, wool twill)) and religious elements of monastic type (robe de bure, large and small scapular). A black cloak attested either to the use of another order (Dominican?) or to a secular use. In her hands she held a large crucifix, perfectly preserved. A cardiotaph was placed on top of the lead coffin at the time of burial. It contained a heart in a canvas bag, attesting to embalming practices (remains of plant material). An incised inscription provides us with a possible identification, that of Toussaint de Perrien, husband of Louise de Quengo: "Cy est le Cœur de [...] Me re Toussainct de /Perrien Chevalier [...] gr de Brefeillac & c/ Dont le Corps repose [...] Sauveur /Pres Carhaye Convent des Carmes/Deschaus quil à fond et mourut / à Rennes le 30me aoust 1649". This practice of inverted and complementary burial, the heart of one with the body of the other, reveals the attachment between spouses beyond death (Collections Musée de Bretagne, Photo Alain AMET, CC BY SA.)