Agnus Dei
1714 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Religious pendants were widely used throughout Catholic Europe. They often contained images or relics of saints, and were used as amulets against all the dangers of daily life as much as aids to prayer.
This pendant contains an Agnus Dei, or wax tablet made from the paschal candle which was traditionally blessed by the Pope at Easter. After use in the Easter ceremonies, the remaining wax from the candle was made into small tablets which were impressed with the design of the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) on one side, and the name and titles of the pope who had blessed it on the other. This Agnus Dei was originally stamped with the date 1714 and the titles of Pope Clement XI (1649-1721), but it has deteriorated to such an extent that they are no longer legible.
This pendant contains an Agnus Dei, or wax tablet made from the paschal candle which was traditionally blessed by the Pope at Easter. After use in the Easter ceremonies, the remaining wax from the candle was made into small tablets which were impressed with the design of the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) on one side, and the name and titles of the pope who had blessed it on the other. This Agnus Dei was originally stamped with the date 1714 and the titles of Pope Clement XI (1649-1721), but it has deteriorated to such an extent that they are no longer legible.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Rock crystal set in a gold mount with three pearls containing a wax medallion |
| Brief description | Oval pendant of rock crystal set in a gold mount with three pearls, containing a wax Agnus Dei tablet, Portugal, dated 1714. |
| Physical description | Vertical oval reliquary of rock crystal, containing a wax medallion with the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) and the date 1714, in a gold frame. The frame is decorated with a band of braided wire, and has a wire scroll at the top and bottom and on each side. Each of the three lower scrolls has a pearl in the centre, on a vertical wire, while the top scroll has a loop for suspension, with a loose ring threaded through it. |
| Dimensions |
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| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Religious pendants were widely used throughout Catholic Europe. They often contained images or relics of saints, and were used as amulets against all the dangers of daily life as much as aids to prayer. This pendant contains an Agnus Dei, or wax tablet made from the paschal candle which was traditionally blessed by the Pope at Easter. After use in the Easter ceremonies, the remaining wax from the candle was made into small tablets which were impressed with the design of the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) on one side, and the name and titles of the pope who had blessed it on the other. This Agnus Dei was originally stamped with the date 1714 and the titles of Pope Clement XI (1649-1721), but it has deteriorated to such an extent that they are no longer legible. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 17-1866 |
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| Record created | September 13, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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