Ciborium: M.26-1904

Maker(s)

Workshop: Unknown

Entities

• Ciborium

Categories

• Enamels
• Champlevé enamels

Description

Copper, engraved, champlevé enamelled, and gilt

Copper, engraved, champlevé enamelled in blue, turquoise, and red, and gilt. The ciborium has a foot with six semicircular lobes separated by small redans, and a cylindrical stem with a hexagonal knop. The hemispherical bowl and cover of the cup are fastened together by a hinge and hasp. An undecorated circular space on the top of the cover indicates the position of a cross, now lost. The cover is decorated with four Gothic arches reserved in the metal, within which, on a lapis blue ground scattered with reserved stars, are four scenes from the Passion: christ mocked, the Flagellation, the Road to calvary, and the Crucifixion. The nimbuses in these scenes are enamelled in turquoise blue: the spandrels between the arches are red, with reserved trefoils. On the cup there are six circular medallions with grounds alternately of red and turquoise, on which are reserved standing figures of angels: the spandrels have scrolls reserved on a dark blue ground. On the foot there are six similar medallions with angels, the upper spandrels having trefoils, and the lower fleurs-de-lys, all reserved in the metal.

Notes

History note: Holingworth Magniac, Colworth, Bedfordshire (1786-1867); Charles Magniac; sold Christie’s, 2, 4-8 and 11-15 July 1892, Catalogue of the renowned collection of works of art chiefly formed by the late Hollingworth Magniac Esq. (known as the Colworth Collection), 5th Day, 7 July, p. 129, lot 500, sold for £52.10.0 to Frank McClean.

Legal notes

Frank McClean Bequest

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1904) by McClean, Frank

Dating

14th Century, first half
Medieval
Circa 1300 CE - 1350 CE

School or Style

Gothic