Monstrance thumbnail 1
Monstrance thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Not currently on display at the V&A
On display at the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, Toro, Spain

Monstrance

ca. 1525 (made)

Hexagonal base with angles sloped off, the six sides drawn upwards and embossed with arms, monsters and foliage; spool shaped knop embossed with half length figures of saints (SS. John the Baptist, Andrew, Bartholomew, Paul, Peter, Bartholomew and Thomas) and embossed round the top with roundels forming the heds of the sibyls alternating with the Instruments of the Passion. Above is a cup shaped member embossed with roundels containing figures of Old Testament kings and prophets (Asa, Salamamon, Oesas, Ioatham, Ezechias, Manaces, David and Abbia) and hung with eight bells. The gilt gloria is covered by a canopy supported by four columns surmounted by angels and linked by tracery from which hang four bells. The sides of the canopy are divcided into pairs of niches containing embossed figures of apostles and seperated by butresses containing niches filled by cast figures of the Virgin and Child and Mary the mother of james and John. The bulbous top of the canopy is decorated with a band embossed with monsters, two roundels each showing a man's head and two engraved with the arms of Pedro Manuel, Bishop of Leon, 1523-34, of Zamora 1534-46, and Archbishop of Compostela 1546-49. On the top is a ragged cross with Crucifix and titulus inscribed IHSRI.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Monstrance
  • Bracket
Materials and techniques
Physical description
Hexagonal base with angles sloped off, the six sides drawn upwards and embossed with arms, monsters and foliage; spool shaped knop embossed with half length figures of saints (SS. John the Baptist, Andrew, Bartholomew, Paul, Peter, Bartholomew and Thomas) and embossed round the top with roundels forming the heds of the sibyls alternating with the Instruments of the Passion. Above is a cup shaped member embossed with roundels containing figures of Old Testament kings and prophets (Asa, Salamamon, Oesas, Ioatham, Ezechias, Manaces, David and Abbia) and hung with eight bells. The gilt gloria is covered by a canopy supported by four columns surmounted by angels and linked by tracery from which hang four bells. The sides of the canopy are divcided into pairs of niches containing embossed figures of apostles and seperated by butresses containing niches filled by cast figures of the Virgin and Child and Mary the mother of james and John. The bulbous top of the canopy is decorated with a band embossed with monsters, two roundels each showing a man's head and two engraved with the arms of Pedro Manuel, Bishop of Leon, 1523-34, of Zamora 1534-46, and Archbishop of Compostela 1546-49. On the top is a ragged cross with Crucifix and titulus inscribed IHSRI.
Dimensions
  • Height: 33 1/4in
Marks and inscriptions
Maker's mark: P.G. with a bull Leon (?); about 1525
Credit line
Dr W.L. Hildburgh Bequest
Object history
Rutschi sale catalogue, Lot 115.
Historical context
Both stylistically and in its standard of workmanship which is only competent, this monstrance may be compared with the shrine of San Froilan at Leon Cathedral. Both display abundance of carefully plannedRenaissance ornamnet accompanied by rather crude figure subjects.
The Schrine of San Froilan was originally designed as a single schrine but already by 1573 when it was seen by Morales it had been split into two and placed behind the high altar with the tabernacle in between.
Collection
Accession number
M.367PART-1956

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 13, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest