Silver, parcel-gilt and enamel, Netherlands, ca.1400-50

Cruet for the Mass. Silver parcel-gilt with enamelled details. Octagonal, the body supported on a stem with eight-lobed knop rising from an eight-pointed foot marked 'V' (vinum) or 'A' (aqua). The lid is surmounted by a foliated finial.

Medieval Worship

Until the 16th century Roman Catholicism was the universal faith of the Western world and Latin was its universal language. The needs of church ritual inspired the production of a range of richly decorated vessels and vestments, crosses and images in the form of altarpieces. Many were made of gold or silver, adorned with enamels or gems, precious materials seen as symbolic of the reverence due to the worship of God. Less wealthy churches used cheaper vessels in copper, brass or pewter.

The celebration of Mass was and remains the most important service of the Roman Catholic liturgy. For this the minimum requirements are an altar, a chalice and missal, the book of texts necessary for the Mass. Holy Communion or Eucharist is that part of the Mass in which the people participate in the sacrifice of Christ, by partaking of his body and blood in the consecrated bread and wine, held in the chalice and paten.

South Netherlandish

Altar cruets contained the water and wine used in the Mass. These ones are enamelled on the foot with ‘A’ for aqua (water) and ‘V’ for vinum (wine). They are of unusually high quality and may have been made for a private chapel.

M.587-1910