Silver chalice, parcel-gilt, Greece, 1750

Chalice, embossed with cherubim, the tall stem consists chiefly of a large baluster knop, the whole rests on a spreading foot of two scalloped tiers, the upper one being decorated with the four evangelists seperated by seraphim. Round the bottom runs an inscription.

Bought for £22. 12s.

The Eastern Churches
The history of the church around and beyond the eastern Mediterranean is complex. The earliest eastern churches were established in Antioch, Alexandria and other cities in the 1st century. They were independent communities and theological controversy sharpened their differences.

In 330 Constantinople (now Istanbul) became the capital of the Roman empire. Successive bishops of Constantinople, later given the title of patriarch, gradually won authority over other eastern churches, despite the opposition of the Pope. Churches that accepted the jurisdiction of the patriarch became known as Orthodox, but others, including those of Armenia and Ethiopia, developed along separate lines. Diversity of practice and doctrine in the eastern churches is reflected in the different kinds of regalia and sacred silver. Yet some forms such as the chalice are common to all, indicating a shared core of beliefs.

This chalice was used in Greek Orthodox worship to serve the consecrated wine. Its foot is embossed with Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the four Evangelists. They are placed between cherubim (winged angel heads) and there are further cherubim on the stem and bowl.

The foot also bears an inscription in Greek ‘Thou art indeed the cup of salvation’, with the name of the donor, Gabriel of Nicomedia. Now known as Izmit, Nicomedia was a town about 50 miles east of Constantinople (Istanbul).

208-1892