CHALICE
Creator(s): Unknown (Silversmith)
On view in: Icon Room
About this object
The gilt bowl sits in a silver basket of fretwork with a daisy at each point where the fret intersects. There are four oval enameled medallions set in the fret, each surrounded by rose-cut brilliants. The medallions have enameled on them the following: 1. Christ blessing, 2. St. John the Baptist, 3. the Mother of God and 4. the Crucifixion. Around the lip of the cup is engraved an inscription in Russian: "Accept the Body of Christ, taste of the Immortal Source." The wide base is decorated en repoussé with bow-knots, with garlands of fruits and flowers. There are four medallions in enamel, each surrounded by brilliants, these are painted in enamel with the following scenes: 1. Gethsemene, 2. Christ before the High Priest, 3. the Road to Calvary and 4. the Crucifixion. In each instance, Christ is identified with IC, XC. The baluster shaped knop has three elaborate rococo cartouches.
- Object name:
- CHALICE
- Made from:
- Silver -- parcel gilt -- enamel -- paste stones
- Made in:
- Moscow, Russia
- Date made:
- 18th Century
- Size:
- 31.1 x 12.5 cm (12 1/4 x 4 15/16 in.)
Detailed information for this item
- Catalog number:
- 12.90
- Class:
- SILVER
- Signature marks:
- INSCRIPTIONS "Accept the Body of Christ, taste of the Immortal Source." [engraved in Cyrillic around the lip of the cup]; in each instance scenes are identified with initials in Cyrillic [on enameled medallions]
- Credit line:
- Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973