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CHALICE

Creator(s): Unknown (Silversmith)

On view in: Icon Room


About this object

The cup sits in a basket of engraved leaves. Above is a series of swags of drapery and tassels with fleur de his edging. There were originally four enameled medallions. One enameled medallion is now missing. The medallions are set with gilt border in silver gilt imitating rose-cut diamonds. The scenes on them are: 1. Christ blessing (inscribed: [transcription]), 2. St. John the Baptist (inscribed: [transcription]), 3. the Crucifixion (inscribed: [transcription]). Around the lip runs this engraved inscription in Russian: "Accept the Body of Christ, taste of the Immortal Source." The central portion is baluster-shaped and is engraved with leaves and a garland of flowers. The baluster rests on a rectangular section set with four enameled medallions and with flowers and leaves on a stippled ground enameled at the four corners. The rectangular enamels are set in frames imitating rose-cut diamonds. The enamels are painted with: 1. Gethsemene, 2. the mocking of Christ,m 3. the road to Calvary and 4. the Deposition. On the base below, an eight sided section, are four heads of cheribum. The rest of the base is circular, divided into two parts: the upper part with four winged cherubs' heads en repoussé, and the lower portion engraved with acanthus and other leaves.

Object name:
CHALICE
Made from:
Silver gilt -- enamel
Made in:
Moscow, Russia
Date made:
1831
Size:
32.1 x 12.7 cm (12 5/8 x 5 in.)

Detailed information for this item

Catalog number:
12.96
Class:
SILVER
Signature marks:
MARK on lip: four hallmarks, 1. St. George and the Dragon for Moscow, 2. 84 [transcription], 3. [transcription], 4. M. I. [transcription]; second and fourth marks appear again where the enameled medallion is missing
Credit line:
Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973