Not currently on display at the V&A

Tabernacle

ca. 1500-1550 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Florence (made)

Tabernacles are used to hold the consecrated host or relics. The terms "ciborium" and "tabernacle" are sometimes used interchangeably, though strictly speaking the tabernacle holds the pyx which contains the consecrated host, while the ciborium is shaped liked a cup and directly holds the consecrated host. The pyx is an even smaller vessel designed to hold the wafer, and can be placed inside the tabernacle.


Object details
Categories
Sculpture
Christianity
Architectural Fittings
Religion
Object type
Tabernacle
Materials and techniques
Carved grey sandstone
Sandstone
Carving
Brief description
Tabernacle, grey sandstone, decorated with the dove of the Holy Spirit, Italian (Florence), ca.1500-1550
Physical description
Relief in sandstone (pietra serena). The arched central aperture is framed in a rounded moulding with a curtain drawn back at either side and, in the centre at the top, tongues of fire. At the sides are decorated pilasters. Over a console in the form of a putto head flanked by cornucopia is the inscription: HIC EST LOCVS RELIQVIARVM. In the lunette is the Holy Spirit as a dove.
Dimensions
  • Height: 151.1cm
  • Width: 63.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
HIC EST LOCVS RELIQVIARVM
Subjects depicted
Religion (Concept)
Putti
Doves
Curtains
Wings
Pilasters
Ornament
Summary
Tabernacles are used to hold the consecrated host or relics. The terms "ciborium" and "tabernacle" are sometimes used interchangeably, though strictly speaking the tabernacle holds the pyx which contains the consecrated host, while the ciborium is shaped liked a cup and directly holds the consecrated host. The pyx is an even smaller vessel designed to hold the wafer, and can be placed inside the tabernacle.
Bibliographic references
  • Inventory of Art Objects Acquired in the Year 1861 In: Inventory of the Objects in the Art Division of the Museum at South Kensington, Arranged According to the Dates of their Acquisition. Vol I. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., 1868, p. 36
  • Pope-Hennessy, John. Catalogue of Italian Sculpture in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Volume II: Text. Sixteenth to Twentieth Century. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1964, p. 411
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
7568-1861

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Record createdJuly 20, 2005
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O114241/tabernacle-unknown/
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