Silver-gilt, Spain. Mark: SF About 1525

Square with pinnalced buttresses. Glazed roundel surmounted by a band of cresting on each side. Pyramidal top with scroll work and surmounted by a crucifix. Leaf work on tubular stem. Hexagonal knop with crocketed niches, enclosing demi- figures of the apostles; shaped base embossed with foliage and a quartered escutheon of the Order of Alcantara and Mancel.

Dr W.L. Hildburgh Bequest

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.

The monstrance was a medieval innovation, designed to display the host, or consecrated wafer, on the altar during Mass or in procession. It evolved as a result of the institution of the Feast of Corpus Christi (the ‘body of Christ’) in 1262.

M.382-1956