{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O107613"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O107613/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE2842/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE2842/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AE2842","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O107613/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O107613","accessionNumber":"M.124:1, 2-1909","objectType":"Ciborium","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"A ciborium is used to distribute the Sacred Host (consecrated bread) during the service of Mass. In Catholic belief, bread and wine are mystically and miraculously transformed into the body and blood of Christ during the Mass. This central ceremony of the Catholic church is a re-enactment of the Last Supper, in which Christ shared bread and wine with his disciples, saying ‘This is my body and blood’. \r\n\r\nThis ciborium was made for a church of Béguines in Hasselt (Limburg) in the Southern Netherlands in 1651. Béguines were a religious group of women not bound by vows but drawn to the ideal of the simple life and an attachment to mysticism and worship of the Eucharist (the mystical moment of transformation). Béguinages were chiefly a medieval phenomenon, but there was a revival in the southern (Spanish) Netherlands in the 17th century.\r\n\r\nThe finial on the cover represents 'the pelican in her piety', a common symbol in Christian art for the sacrifice made by Christ for the redemption of mankind. Here the pelican plucks at her breast to shed blood to feed her young. The crucifix studded with crystals reminds us of the blood Christ shed on the Cross.","physicalDescription":"Silver-gilt cup with domed six-lobed foot, stem, bowl and cover, all decorated with ornament hammered into relief (embossed). The cover is surmounted by a pelican with outstretched wings feeding her young with blood from her breast, with a cross set with crystals rising from her head. The lower part of the bowl, the bulbous knop on the stem and the foot are embossed with winged cherub heads. The foot is also decorated with a crucifix surrounded by Instruments of the Passion, objects associated with Christ's crucifixion.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Locht, Steven van der","id":"AUTH333400"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":"Goldsmith active in Hasselt (province of Limburg, Northern Belgium)."}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Silver-gilt","id":"x37998"},{"text":"rock crystal","id":"AAT11152"}],"techniques":[{"text":"embossing","id":"AAT53826"},{"text":"raising","id":"AAT237068"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver-gilt, raised and embossed","categories":[{"text":"Christianity","id":"THES48978"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AE2842"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"84","id":"THES49710"},"free":"","case":"CA8","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"84","id":"THES49710"},"free":"","case":"CA8","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Ciborium","id":""}],[{"text":"Lid","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Belgium","id":"x28742"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"probably"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1651","earliest":"1651-01-01","latest":"1651-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Col. Fearon Tipping","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"62.1","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"20","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"ST in monogram","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Unidentified maker's mark on lid"},{"content":"inscribed under foot: +TER . EER T'HOOCHW. H. SACRAMENT. HEBBEN. DIE. BEGGYNTIENS. VAN. HASSELT. DESEN. COP. DOEN. MÆCKEN. VOER. HAER. LIEDER. KERCKE ANNO 1651. H. NIC. LAMBRECHS. P. I. HELENA. PVTS. M","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"To the honour of the most worthy Blessed Sacrament the Béguines of Hasselt have had this cup (vessel) made for their beloved church, in the year 1651. Mr Nicholas Lambrechs, Priest. Mistress Helena Puts, Mother Superior.","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"Given by Colonel Fearon Tipping","historicalContext":"The Counter Reformation \r\nThe 16th century was a period of intense self examination for the Roman Catholic church. Internal dissent was undermining its authority and whole nations were going over to the new Protestant faiths. To clarify its role, the church held the Council of Trent from 1545 to 1563. It addressed concerns about religious education, abuses of wealth and the relief of the poor. The Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) became the champion of the reformed Catholic church and promoted the faith worldwide. At the heart of this Counter Reformation was the need to restore the Eucharist to the centre of worship. In Catholic belief, the Eucharist enshrines the moment when bread and wine, consecrated at the altar, are transformed into the body and blood of Christ. A priest holding up a monstrance Detail from The Adoration of the Holy Eucharist, by Claudio Coello, 1685-90 Monasterio del Escorial, Madrid.\r\n\r\nArt and Faith \r\nThe image and message of the reinvigorated Roman Catholic church were actively promoted through dramatic architecture and furnishings. Throughout the 17th century new churches were built in the grand Baroque style. Their sumptuous interiors were complemented by elaborate monstrances, candelabra, sanctuary lamps and censers. Awe-inspiring altar silver drew the eyes of the faithful towards the Eucharist.","briefDescription":"Silver-gilt, Spanish Netherlands, dated 1651, maker's mark 'ST' in monogramme for Steven van der Locht (c. 1620-1675) on the lid of the ciborium.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"Made for a church of Béguines in Hasselt (Limburg), Spanish Netherlands, in 1651.","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Ciborium\r\nA ciborium is used to distribute the Sacred Host (consecrated bread) during the service of Mass. This central ceremony of the Catholic church is a re-enactment of the Last Supper, in which Christ shared bread and wine with his disciples, saying ‘This is my body and blood’. In Roman Catholic belief, bread and wine are mystically and miraculously transformed into the body and blood of Christ during the Mass. \r\n\r\nThis ciborium was made for a church of Béguines in Hasselt (Limburg) in the Southern Netherlands in 1651. Béguines were a religious group of women not bound by vows but drawn to the ideal of the simple life and an attachment to mysticism and worship of the Eucharist (the mystical moment of transformation). Béguinages were chiefly a medieval phenomenon, but there was a revival in the Southern (Spanish) Netherlands in the 17th century.\r\n\r\nThe finial on the cover represents the Pelican in her Piety. The pelican, who was believed to feed her young with her own blood in times of famine, is a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The crucifix is studded with crystals as a reminder of the blood Christ shed on the cross.\r\n\r\nHasselt Limburg, Southern Netherlands, dated\r\n1651; maker’s mark ‘ST’ in monogram on lid only\r\nSilver gilt\r\nMuseum no.M.124-1909. Given by Col. W.F. Tipping","date":{"text":"22/11/2005","earliest":"2005-11-22","latest":"2005-11-22"}}],"partNumbers":["M.124:2-1909","M.124:1-1909"],"accessionNumberNum":"124","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1909,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Lid","Ciborium"],"assets":["2016JJ3436","2016JJ3437"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-14","recordCreationDate":"2004-12-06","availableToBook":false}}