CHALICE
Creator(s): Unknown (Silversmith)
On view in: Icon Room
About this object
The gilt cup sets in a silver openwork basket, the main motif being a series of adjoining quatre foils. In this are set four enameled medallions, each framed in rose-cut diamonds and surmounted by a cross-topped crown, also in rose-cut diamonds. The medallions in blue, white and grisaille enamel have half-figures of the following: 1. Christ blessing (inscribed: [transcription]), 2. St. John the Baptist (inscribed: [transcription]), 3. Christ carrying the cross (inscribed: [transcription]) and 4. the Mother of God (inscribed: [transcription]). The baluster central portion is decorated with engraved acanthus leaves. Around the lip runs the inscription in Russian: "Accept the Body of Christ, taste of the Immortal Source." The bell-shaped base has a garland of acanthus leaves around the lower portion and a series of inverted acanthus leaves on the upper portion. There are four oval enameled medallions placed lengthwise. They are set in rose-cut diamonds and have the Imperial crown in diamonds above. The enamels in blue, white and grisaille represent 1. Gethsemene, 2. the mocking of Christ, 3. the road to Calvary and 4. the Entombment. Christ is identified on each by [transcription].
- Object name:
- CHALICE
- Made from:
- Silver gilt -- enamel
- Made in:
- Moscow, Russia
- Date made:
- 1802
- Size:
- 41.1 × 13.5 cm (16 3/16 × 5 5/16 in.)
Detailed information for this item
- Catalog number:
- 12.91
- Class:
- SILVER
- Signature marks:
- MARK lower edge of base: five hallmarks: 1. the St. George and the Dragon for Moscow, 2. 84 [transcription], 3. A. B. 1802 [transcription], 4. A T [transcription], 5. [transcription]; numbers 1, 2, and 4 are repeated just above, while all five are repeated near lip
- Credit line:
- Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973