CHALICE

Creator(s): Petr Grigor'ev (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 (inscribed: [transcription]), 2. the bust of St. John the Baptist (inscribed: [transcription]), 3. the bust of the Mother of God (inscribed: [transcription]) and 4. the bust of Christ carrying the cross (inscribed: [transcription]). 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: "The Body of Christ accept, 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:

INSCRIPTION; MARK on rim: inscription for mass; lip of cup: three hallmarks, 1. the St. George and the Dragon for Moscow with the date 1815, 2. 84 [transcription], 3. [transcription]; lower on cup: St. George and the Dragon with date 1815 repeated, but is partly effaced and another mark illegible; numbers 2 and 3 occur again below knop; on edge of base: St. George and 84

Credit line:

Bequest of Marjorie Merriweather Post, 1973