CHALICE

Creator(s): Petr Grigorev (Silversmith)

On view in: Icon Room

About this object

The chalice is unusually tall and the cup longer than is generally the case. On the lower part of the cup is a cluster of wheat stalks. Encircling the cup are swags of grape vines and branches and four large enameled medallions, each with a border of table-cut brilliants. At the top of each medallion is a cross and bow knot in brilliants, while to the side and below are a knot and branches in a blue stone with small emeralds. The medallions represent: 1. the bust of Christ blessing and holding the globe, 2. the bust of St. John the Baptist, 3. the bust of the Mother of God and 4. the bust of Christ carrying the cross. Between these larger medallions are four smaller ones painted each with the head of a cherub. Above each one of the latter is a crown in repoussé. The knop is very low down and cube-shaped. On each side is an enameled rectangular medallion surrounded by brilliants. These represent: 1. the Last Supper, 2. the mocking of Christ, 3. Christ and St. Veronica and 4. the Entombment. On each upper corner of this rectangular knop is a repoussé figure on a cloud. Those are the symbols of the four Evangelists; 1. the Angel of Matthew, 2. the Lion of St. Mark, 3. the Bull of St. Luke and 4. the Eagle of St. John. On each of the four lower corners is a cherub's head. The base is in several sectors, with engraved decorations of acanthus, swags and oak leaves. Near them are four heads of cherubs, each one above an oblong enameled inscription directly beneath the four scenes from the life of Christ. On the rim is engraved the following in Russian: "Accept the Body of Christ, taste of the Immortal Source, eat My Flesh, I am in It, drink My Blood; It remains in Me." This part of the inscription is in four enamel rectangles on base of chalice.

Object name:

CHALICE

Made from:

Silver gilt -- enamel

Made in:

Moscow, Russia

Date made:

1815

Size:

47 × 15.7 cm (18 1/2 × 6 3/16 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:

12.95

Class:

SILVER

Signature marks:

MARKS 1815, St George and the Dragon [for Moscow], 84, П Г [P G in Cyrillic] [lip of cup]; St. George and the Dragon, illegible mark [lower on cup]; 84, illegible mark [base, below knop]; St George and the Dragon, 84, 1815 [On edge of base] INSCRIPTIONS "Accept the Body of Christ, taste of the Immortal Source, eat My Flesh, I am in It, drink My Blood; It remains in Me." [engraved in Cyrillic around the lip of the cup and enameled on base of chalice ]; in each instance scenes are identified with initials in Cyrillic [on enameled medallions on cup]

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973