Physical description
[Paten] Plain silver with a roughly formed circular depression
[Chalice] Chalice of silver parcel-gilt, engraved round the lip with an inscription. Trumpet shaped foot, engraved round the edge with a fret border and enriched below the knop with a band of leaves. The knop is hollow, pierced and chiselled with foliage in four compartments enclosed by carving bands stamped with annulets. The bowl is nearly hemispherical, the inscription enclosed between a horizontal line above and two below, the engraving is executed in zig-zag lines, as is the fret border on the foot. The bowl is separated from the knop by a narrow indented necking. The enriched parts of the surface only are gilt.
Place of Origin
Iceland (possibly, made)
England, Great Britain (possibly, made)
Norway (possibly, made)
Date
ca. 1200 (made)
Artist/maker
Unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Gilded silver
Marks and inscriptions
[Chalice] +SVMMITVR HINC NVNDA DIVINI SANGVINIS VNDA From hence is drunk the pure flow of the Divine Blood
Dimensions
[Chalice] Height: 12.4 cm, Diameter: 9.5 cm, Weight: 0.2 kg
Object history note
Purchased together for £70 from S. Verdier, Copenhagen, Denmark. RP number 81617/1902
Extract from letter received from MR Verdier dated 28th January, 1902 and registers under No. 3269-1902: "One very fine and rare Icelandic Chalice from the Middle ages, I have got it direct from Iceland it has belong to Grundt church by Arefiord. On the Chalice stand, SUMMITVR HINC NVNDA DIVINI SANGVINIS VNDA"
British Library Sacred Exhibition RF.2006/484
[Chalice] Historical significance: Although the origins of this chalice are not certain, it seems likely that it was made in Iceland. A similar chalice from Svalbard, also in Northern Iceland, can be found in the National Museum in Copenhagen.
Scandinavian silversmiths were noted for their metalworking skills from the earliest times. This chalice belongs to the finest period of Icelandic culture, the age of Snorri Sturluson (1178-1241), the great scholar, poet and historian. During this period Icelanders were in frequent touch with the rest of Europe, especially Scandinavia and England. This piece shows their knowledge of romanesque forms and decoration- seen particularly in the foliate design of the knop.
Iceland converted to Christianity during the 11th and 12th centuries, considerably later than the rest of Europe. However, production of ecclesiastical goldsmiths work soon flourished.
The custom of communicating in two kinds (receiving both bread and wine) was followed in the Roman Catholic Church until around the 13th century when the wine was gradually withdrawn from the laity and received by the priest alone.
Historical context note
The chalice and paten are said to have come from Grund, a farm in northern Iceland, only a few miles from the church of Holar, formerly the seat of the Cathedral for that region.The church still owns two fine and elaborate 13th century silver chalices, and it is possible that this chalice also once belonged to the cathedral.
Descriptive line
Chalice and Paten, possibly Iceland,Norway or England, ca.1200
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
Williamson, P (ed), The Medieval Treasury: The Art of the Middle Ages in the Victoria and Albert MuseumVictoria and Albert Museum, London, 1986, p.157
Fifty Masterpieces of Metalwork, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1951, p.16
Reeve, John (ed) Sacred, Books of the Three Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, British Library, London, 2007, p.170
Catalogue entry reads:
'In Christian worship the chalice is associated with the blood of Christ. Paul remarks, 'Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?' (1 Corinthians 10:16). This concept is illlustrated textually on this chalice, which is inscribed in Latin: 'From hence is drunk the pure flow of the Divine Blook'. From an early period chalices were made of precious metals, representing the precious nature of the Eucharist, or Communion, that part of a Christian service in which Christians believe that they partake of Christ's sacrifice by means of consecrated bread and wine. This one was probably a chalice used by biships and priests in the Mass. It came from Grund in northern Iceland, and may have belonged to cathedral in nearby Holar. It was probably brought there from England.'
Campbell, Marian, 'The medieval chalices of Iceland and Norway', in Lilja Arnadottir and Ketil Kiran ed., Church and art: the medieval church in Norway and Iceland , Reykjavik 1997, pp. 102-4, pl. 1
Exhibition History
Sacred: Discover what we share. (British Library 20/04/2007-19/09/2007)
Labels and date
CHALICE AND PATEN
Silver parcel-gilt
Round the lip is the inscription:- SVMMITVR (sumitur) HINC NVNDA (munda) DIVINI SANGVINIS VNDA.
Icelandic (?); 13th century
(The paten of later date)
From Grundt Church, Iceland
Production Note
Also possible that the object was made in England or Norway and brought to Iceland
Materials
Silver
Techniques
Gilded; Gilding; Engraved
Categories
Metalwork; Religion; Christianity
Collection code
MET
