This hexagonal receptacle contained consecrated salt for purifying holy water. Holy water is used for ceremonies of consecration (such as Baptism), was placed in water stoups at the entrance of a church or in private homes, and was also used for healing the sick. Inside this Spanish example are six niches with figures of the Apostles with their attributes.
Physical description
Hexagonal, border decorated with strapwork. Sides embossed with figures of the Apostles in shell toped niches. Baluster colums mask the angles; six button-shaped feet.
Place of Origin
Toledo, Spain (possibly, made)
Cuenca, Spain (possibly, made)
Date
1550-1600 (made)
Artist/maker
unknown (production)
Materials and Techniques
Silver gilt
Dimensions
Height: 9.00 cm, Length: 13.00 cm
Object history note
Acquisition RF: 55/4478A
Dr WL Hildburgh FSA Bequest.
Hildburgh bought from Von Stumm Collection.
Historical context note
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.
Descriptive line
Ecclesiastical salt, with six niches depicting figures of the Apostles with their attributes, Toledo or Cuenca, 1550-1600
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
The Golden Age of Hispanic Silver 1400-1665, Charles Oman, Pg.98, pl.123, HMSO, 1968
Exhibition History
Medieval Worship (Sacred Silver and Stained Glass Galleries, the Victoria and Albert Museum 22/11/2005-22/11/2005)
Labels and date
Silver Gallery:
The receptacle, usually box-shaped, here hexagonal, contained the consecrated salt for purifying the holy water, used either for consecrating ceremonies, in the water stoup at the entrance of the Church or private homes, and for healing the sick. Inside the six niches are figures of the Apostles with their attributes. [26/11/2002]
Production Note
Toledo or Cuenca, Castilla La Mancha
Categories
Metalwork; Christianity
Collection code
MET
