{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O107618"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O107618/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE9256/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AE9256/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AE9256","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O107618/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O107618","accessionNumber":"M.55-1951","objectType":"Plaque","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This delicately hammered plaque may have been a decorative mount for an altarpiece. It depicts the agonies of St Sebastian, a Christian reputedly living in 3rd-century Rome who was condemned to death for his religious beliefs. From the period of the Renaissance, Sebastian was often depicted lashed to a tree and pierced by arrows shot by archers, as here. \r\n\r\nThis striking image was a favoured subject of Catholic artists after the Counter Reformation, a period of reform and reinvigoration for the Roman Catholic Church from the mid 16th century. Images of intense emotion, of physical suffering or grief were designed to induce feelings of sympathy in the beholder.","physicalDescription":"Silver-gilt plaque, with a depiction of the agonies of St Sebastian delicately hammered into relief. He is tied to a tree to the left of the plaque, pierced by arrows. Archers and soldiers carrying spears can be seen to the right.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Silver-gilt","id":"x37998"}],"techniques":[{"text":"chasing","id":"AAT54016"},{"text":"embossing","id":"AAT53826"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver-gilt, chased and embossed","categories":[{"text":"Christianity","id":"THES48978"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AE9256"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"84","id":"THES49710"},"free":"","case":"CA8","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Plaque","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Belgium","id":"x28742"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1600-1630","earliest":"1595-01-01","latest":"1630-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Dr W.L. Hildburgh","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"15","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"10.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"0.5","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Unmarked","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"","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, ca.1600-30","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"Spanish Netherlands","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Plaque with St Sebastian\r\nThis delicately hammered plaque may have been a decorative mount for an altarpiece. It depicts the agonies of St Sebastian, a Christian reputedly living in 3rd-century Rome who was condemned to death for his religious beliefs. He was often depicted lashed to a tree and pierced by arrows shot by archers, as here. \r\n\r\nThis striking image first appeared during the Renaissance and was a favourite subject with Roman Catholic artists after the Counter Reformation, a period of reform and reinvigoration that took place from the mid 16th century. Images of physical suffering or intense emotion were believed to induce feelings of sympathy in the beholder.\r\n\r\nSouthern Netherlands, about 1600–30\r\nSilver gilt\r\nMuseum no. M.55-1951. Hildburgh Gift","date":{"text":"22/11/2005","earliest":"2005-11-22","latest":"2005-11-22"}}],"partNumbers":["M.55-1951"],"accessionNumberNum":"55","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1951,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2016JJ1777"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-19","recordCreationDate":"2004-12-07","availableToBook":false}}