Plaque
ca. 1530 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This small plaque depicting St John may have adorned a processional cross. Series of silver plaques with a related theme, such as scenes from the life of Christ, were commonly used by goldsmiths to decorate the surfaces of larger church objects.
The plaque is one of three from the same source. The others depict the Virgin Mary lamenting the death of Christ and the descent of Christ into hell after his death. They were possibly made by Enrique de Arfe, one of the most successful Renaissance goldsmiths in Spain, or by a goldsmith associated with his workshop. De Arfe trained in Cologne in Germany but spent much of his career on commissions for monumental church silver in Spanish cathedrals.
For the other plaques in this series, see M.510:22-1956 and M.510:23-1956.
The plaque is one of three from the same source. The others depict the Virgin Mary lamenting the death of Christ and the descent of Christ into hell after his death. They were possibly made by Enrique de Arfe, one of the most successful Renaissance goldsmiths in Spain, or by a goldsmith associated with his workshop. De Arfe trained in Cologne in Germany but spent much of his career on commissions for monumental church silver in Spanish cathedrals.
For the other plaques in this series, see M.510:22-1956 and M.510:23-1956.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, parcel-gilt, raised, pierced and chased |
| Brief description | Silver, parcel-gilt, Spain, possibly by Enrique de Arfe |
| Physical description | Circular flat plaque, pierced and engraved, depicting St John. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Unmarked |
| Gallery label | SIX PLAQUES
The curved plaques depict the four Evangelists with their identifying symbols: the angel of St Matthew, the winged lion of St Mark, the ox of St Luke and the eagle of St John. They were probably decorative fragments from a custodia. The flat plaques may have adorned a processional cross and show St John and the Virgin Mary, both in mourning for the death of Christ. The maker is possibly Enrique de Arfe, a native of Cologne who settled in Léon and founded one of Spain's most outstanding goldsmithing families, renowned for making massive custodia.
Spain, about 1530, possibly by Enrique de Arfe
Silver, parcel-gilt
W.L. Hildburgh Bequest
Museum nos. M.510:17-22-1956(22/11/2005) |
| Credit line | Dr W.L. Hildburgh Bequest |
| Historical context | The Spanish Church The Catholic church dominated public and private life in Spain. Money and labour were lavished on religious art and images played a central role in daily worship. To ensure that goldsmiths focused on work for the crown and the church, the authorities brought in a series of sumptuary laws that limited the secular display of gems and precious metals. By 1550 the silver mines in Peru and Mexico were generating enormous wealth for Spain and feeding the traditional taste for massive silver forms. They included the custodia, a towering architectural canopy that was unique to Spain. It was paraded through parishes during the Corpus Christi festival to display the Sacred Host (consecrated bread). The custodia embodied many characteristics of Spanish church plate. It was sculptural, highly visible and richly imaginative in design. With the Counter Reformation, Spain became a triumphant defender of a revitalised Catholic faith. Silver altar vessels and entire altars, processional crosses, custodias and sanctuary lamps frequently appeared in goldsmiths' contracts. |
| Production | Possibly by de Arfe or a goldsmith associated with his workshop |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This small plaque depicting St John may have adorned a processional cross. Series of silver plaques with a related theme, such as scenes from the life of Christ, were commonly used by goldsmiths to decorate the surfaces of larger church objects. The plaque is one of three from the same source. The others depict the Virgin Mary lamenting the death of Christ and the descent of Christ into hell after his death. They were possibly made by Enrique de Arfe, one of the most successful Renaissance goldsmiths in Spain, or by a goldsmith associated with his workshop. De Arfe trained in Cologne in Germany but spent much of his career on commissions for monumental church silver in Spanish cathedrals. For the other plaques in this series, see M.510:22-1956 and M.510:23-1956. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.510:21-1956 |
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| Record created | February 7, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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