Cover of a combined chalice and monstrance
Cover
ca. 1570 (made)
ca. 1570 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Inside this cover of a church vessel is a medal commemorating Viglius d'Ayta of Zuichem, in the Netherlands, dated 1571. Viglius d'Ayta served in the civil service of the Duke of Alba, who governed the southern Netherlands between 1567 and 1573, when it was under the rule of Spain. It is not clear, however, whether the medal was part of the original design, or added at a later date.
Cuenca rose to prominence as a goldsmithing centre during the 16th century through the prosperity of the Castillian wool trade. Fernando Ruiz was one of the most distinguished goldsmiths of the period.
Cuenca rose to prominence as a goldsmithing centre during the 16th century through the prosperity of the Castillian wool trade. Fernando Ruiz was one of the most distinguished goldsmiths of the period.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Cover of a combined chalice and monstrance (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Silver-gilt |
| Brief description | Cover of a combined chalice and monstrance, silver-gilt, Cuenca, Spain, around 1570, mark of Fernando Ruiz |
| Physical description | Round, at the top is an urn, flanked by four brackets in the from of monsters. Below is a canopy on four legs resting on the domed base which is decorated with a ring of strapwork encircled by one of draped linen with cherubs and fruit. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | On the base: FD RVIZ |
| Gallery label | LID OF A COMBINED CHALICE AND MONSTRANCE
Silver-gilt
Cuenca, Spain, around 1570
Mark of Fernado Ruiz
When the Victor Rothschild was sold at Sotheby's on 26-28 April 1937 Hildburgh bought several pieces including the body of this flower vase for an altar and this lid from a chalice and monstrance. They were part of lot 153 described in the catalogue to the left. The lid was acknowledged as from another object but the foot was not. This must have been one of the most startling pieces in the sale!. The three parts have quite different decorative schemes and were separated when Hilburgh lent them to the Museum. They were probably combined during the 19th century when the expanding market for historic silver was vulnerable to unscrupulous dealers mixing and matching parts of objects and passing them off as original.
M.422-1956, M.423-1956 |
| Credit line | Dr W.L. Hildburgh Bequest |
| Object history | Acquisition RF: 55/4478A Dr WL Hildburgh FSA Bequest. Inside is a medal commemorating Viglius d'Ayta of Zuichem, dated 1571. It seems unlikely that this forms part of the original design since Viglius d'Ayta appears to have no connection with Spain although he did serve in the Duke of Alba's civil service in the Low Countries. Kinkier where Ruiz worked was quite unimportant as a centre of goldsmithing in Gothic times but rose to prominence during the 16 century through the prosperity of the Castillian wool trade. Ruiz along with the three members of the Basal family was one of the most distinguished protagonists in this development. Hildburgh bought from Victor Rothschild Collection, Sotheby’s 26-28 April, 1937, lot 153. |
| Summary | Inside this cover of a church vessel is a medal commemorating Viglius d'Ayta of Zuichem, in the Netherlands, dated 1571. Viglius d'Ayta served in the civil service of the Duke of Alba, who governed the southern Netherlands between 1567 and 1573, when it was under the rule of Spain. It is not clear, however, whether the medal was part of the original design, or added at a later date. Cuenca rose to prominence as a goldsmithing centre during the 16th century through the prosperity of the Castillian wool trade. Fernando Ruiz was one of the most distinguished goldsmiths of the period. |
| Bibliographic reference | The Golden Age of Hispanic Silver 1400-1665, Charles Oman, HMSO, 1968 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.423-1956 |
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| Record created | February 9, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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