South German 1690-1710

South German 1680-1720

'Wafer Box, south German about 1700, turned boxwood with decoration largely in medallic form pressed on the cover. Within the central medallion slightly convex, is a crucifix bearing in low countersunk relief the instruments of the Passion, below each arm is a larger medallion. Dexter, St George and the Dragon, sinister with three lilies of the valley and child inscribed ST ANTONI. Round the rim are eight smaller medallions as follows - 1. the Coronation of the Virgin; 2. the Crucifixion; 3. Saint standing by holding a lily in the dexter hand flanked by angels; 4. Saint, female, standing bearing on the dexter arm a crucifix flanked by angels; 5. Two figures of saints, standing, one bearing a shield; 6. the annunciation; 7. bust of saint holding crucifix is in the dexter hand; 8. female saint, standing.' - Adapted from the 1950 Registered Description.

RP: 50/3149

Purchased for £2.10.

This wafer box, used for storing communinion wafers before they were consecrated, was made in South Germany in about 1700. It is richly decorated with religious themes, ranging from the Instruments of the Passion and Crucifixion to the Coronation of the Virgin Mary and St Anthony with the Christ Child. Communion Wafers symbolize the body of Christ and would have been stored in an box like this one, which would have belonged to a parish church or private chapel.

W.57&A-1950