Art Institute of Chicago

Chalice

German

Date

c. 1500–c. 1520

Medium

Silver gilt and enamel

Culture

Germany

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This chalice stands on a foot with six lobes, each with an engraving of a saint. On the stem are additional images of the Crucifixion, the four fathers of the Church (Saints Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome and Gregory), and Saint Agnes, each modeled of gilt silver and ensconced in Gothic arches. Above these miniature sculptural components are enameled plaques spelling out IHESUS (Jesus). As the imagery suggests, this chalice was used for Christian liturgical ceremony of the Eucharist to hold wine as it is consecrated. This chalice was possibly made in Saxony, Germany, just prior to the Protestant Reformation.

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