{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O103124"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O103124/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE2752/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE2752/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AE2752","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019ME7224","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O103124/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O103124","accessionNumber":"26-1866","objectType":"Plaque","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This plaque is part of a set of four showing the Four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) which probably came from a larger object such as a crystal altar cross, now lost. St John was the author of one of the Gospels and is often represented as an eagle. On this plaque he is shown seated in the wilderness with an eagle. A winged eagle, the creature that dwells closest to heaven, symbolizes St. John, because of his visions and the heavenly opening of his Gospel.\r\n\r\nThe association of the four Evangelists with living creatures comes from the books of Ezekiel and Revelation. In the book of Revelation, St John sees four creatures surrounding the throne of Heaven: <font -i>\"...and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast was like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.\"</font>","physicalDescription":"Circular silver plaque embossed with a relief figure of St John. A small pin protrudes from the back.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Silver","id":"AAT11029"}],"techniques":[{"text":"Embossing","id":"AAT53826"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Embossed silver","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"},{"text":"Christianity","id":"THES48978"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AE2752","2019ME7224"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"83","id":"THES49711"},"free":"","case":"CA1","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Plaque","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Salamanca","id":"x33120"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1550","earliest":"1545-01-01","latest":"1554-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[{"object":{"text":"23-1866","id":"O103100"},"association":""},{"object":{"text":"25-1866","id":"O103122"},"association":""},{"object":{"text":"24-1866","id":"O103118"},"association":""}],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"3.50","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"1.50","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"S.? above an ox","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Town mark for Salamanca"}],"objectHistory":"This set of plaques comes from a larger object, possibly a crystal altar cross.","historicalContext":"Saints and Symbols\r\nLike most religions, Christianity has a rich language of images and symbols. This iconography would have been clearly understood in the past but it may be less familiar to modern eyes. \r\n\r\nThough often decorative, the symbols used on religious metalwork also refer to the function and significance of the objects. The contemplation of religious motifs can draw   believers into a deeper understanding of their faith. Complex theological themes can be represented in a visual form. A chalice, for example, might be adorned with the tools used in the Crucifixion (the 'Instruments of the Passion') to direct the viewer's mind towards Christ's sacrifice and his death on the cross.\r\n\r\nThe use of images has caused controversy throughout Christian history. While supporters held that imagery glorified God and helped believers understand their faith better, critics attacked its use as superstition and idolatry.\r\n\r\nSaints\r\nChristians venerate saints as men and women who, through the holiness of their lives, became especially close to God. The saints include martyrs who suffered and died for their faith as well as great teachers and preachers. Their lives provide an example and inspiration for the faithful. Roman Catholics also believe that saints can intercede on their behalf with God. In Christian iconography, saints are usually depicted with a distinctive object or 'attribute' associated with their martyrdom or works. For example, St Bartholomew, who was skinned alive, holds a flaying knife, and St George is shown with a dragon.","briefDescription":"Silver plaque showing St John, Spain, around 1550.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"<font -u>The Golden Age of Hispanic Silver: 1400-1660</font>, Charles Oman, HMSO, 1968."}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"St. John","id":"N935"}],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Plaque Showing St John \r\n\r\nThis plaque is part of a set showing the four Evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - who wrote the Gospels. It probably came from a larger object such as a crystal altar cross, now lost. \r\n\r\nSt John is shown seated in the wilderness with an eagle. He is often represented by a winged eagle, the creature that dwells closest to heaven, because of his visions and the heavenly opening of his Gospel.\r\n\r\nThe association of the four Evangelists with living creatures comes from the books of Ezekiel and Revelation. In Revelation, St John sees four creatures surrounding the throne of heaven: 'and round about the throne were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast was like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.'\r\n\r\nSalamanca, Spain, about 1550\r\nSilver\r\nMuseum nos. 26-1866","date":{"text":"22/11/2005","earliest":"2005-11-22","latest":"2005-11-22"}}],"partNumbers":["26-1866"],"accessionNumberNum":"26","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1866,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2016JB5189"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-14","recordCreationDate":"2004-09-03","availableToBook":false}}