Monstrance
about 1760 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Monstrance, silver-gilt, set with garnets, seed pearls, topazes and crystals. The monstrance slots together in three sections (the top section which holds the Host comprises two embossed plates pinned together); the cross on the top is a later addition. The clip in the circular window which displays the Host is in the form of the 'IHS' monogramme; the window itself has bunches of grapes and vine stems on either side of the lower part, and a Rococo canopy above. Above the canopy are rocaille motifs and an undulating section which forms the summit. On either side of this are loops in scrolling Rococo form. Below is a triangular section with a scroll work border, embossed with rocaille scrolls and plain scrolls. The knop of the stem is of flattened, baluster, shape. The overall shape of the foot is oval, but it has the curved lines of a late-seventeenth-century cartouche. It, too, is embossed with scrollwork as well as two four oval medallions. The one embossed on the front depicts the Virgin of Sorrows, an arrow piercing her heart. The one on the back depicts St Helen, holding a cross. The two on either side are filled with a diamond-shaped pattern. The front of the monstrance is set with semi pecious stones: these are set along the main outlines of the window and canopy and form sprays above and below the window. The scrollwork on the front of the foot is also outlined in semi-precious stones. The back of the monstrance is embossed with scrolls, shell and rocaille motifs. A rectangular door behind the window, with a gently curving frame, opens to allow access to the window. On the front, the monstrance is missing pearls and 4 stones, as well as a section of the decorative element applied to the proper right side (two empty pin holes are visible). There are three other empty pin holes on the back right side.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | silver-gilt set with garnets, seed pearls, topazes , and crystals. |
Brief description | Silver-gilt, set with garnets, seed pearls, topazes, and crystals, Austria (Vienna), mark for 1764-95; maker's mark 'I K', the initials separated by a pellet in a shield-shaped punch, unidentified. |
Physical description | Monstrance, silver-gilt, set with garnets, seed pearls, topazes and crystals. The monstrance slots together in three sections (the top section which holds the Host comprises two embossed plates pinned together); the cross on the top is a later addition. The clip in the circular window which displays the Host is in the form of the 'IHS' monogramme; the window itself has bunches of grapes and vine stems on either side of the lower part, and a Rococo canopy above. Above the canopy are rocaille motifs and an undulating section which forms the summit. On either side of this are loops in scrolling Rococo form. Below is a triangular section with a scroll work border, embossed with rocaille scrolls and plain scrolls. The knop of the stem is of flattened, baluster, shape. The overall shape of the foot is oval, but it has the curved lines of a late-seventeenth-century cartouche. It, too, is embossed with scrollwork as well as two four oval medallions. The one embossed on the front depicts the Virgin of Sorrows, an arrow piercing her heart. The one on the back depicts St Helen, holding a cross. The two on either side are filled with a diamond-shaped pattern. The front of the monstrance is set with semi pecious stones: these are set along the main outlines of the window and canopy and form sprays above and below the window. The scrollwork on the front of the foot is also outlined in semi-precious stones. The back of the monstrance is embossed with scrolls, shell and rocaille motifs. A rectangular door behind the window, with a gently curving frame, opens to allow access to the window. On the front, the monstrance is missing pearls and 4 stones, as well as a section of the decorative element applied to the proper right side (two empty pin holes are visible). There are three other empty pin holes on the back right side. |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions | Three marks, all stamped on the upper rim of the base at the back of the monstrance. From left to right, these are:
Indistinct punch mark, probably the Viennese hallmark for the period 1764 to 1795, indicating silver with a content of 15 loth and therefore with a minimum fineness of 937 parts per 1000. For the mark, see Rosenberg:1928, IV, no. 7858. For the loth as an Austrian unit of weight, see Koeppe: 2010, p.90.
Austrian duty mark of 1806-1807 for largework, indicating tax already paid on the piece. See Rosenberg: 1928, IV, no. 7875.
Maker's mark I K, the initials separated by a pellet, in a shield-shaped punch. Unrecorded in Rosenberg: 1928. |
Historical context | . . |
Bibliographic references |
|
Collection | |
Accession number | M.3-1971 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest