{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O108695"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O108695/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BG4594/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BG4594/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BG4594","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006BB0998","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AN4243","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AN4244","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LX1845","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O108695/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O108695","accessionNumber":"M.315-1956","objectType":"Altar card","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Cards bearing Eucharistic prayers appeared on the Roman Catholic altar during the 16th century. These prayers were specifically associated with the miraculous transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ during the service of Mass, known as the Eucharist. Altar cards assisted the memory of the priest when he was consecrating the wine and bread and also acted as symbolic embodiments of the prayers. They were made in a variety of materials. The words engraved on this rock crystal example begin: 'For this is my body. For this is the cup of my blood ...'","physicalDescription":"Altar card, consisting of a rectangular card of rock crystal engraved with Latin text and decorative devices in a scalloped frame of gilt iron. The stem consists of two pieces of crystal held together with gilt iron, the upper part carved into a dolphin's head, the lower part into bird's feet, on a gilt bronze base shaped like a cross within a square.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Gilt iron","id":"x38747"},{"text":"gilt bronze","id":"x35084"},{"text":"rock crystal","id":"AAT11152"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[{"text":"Christianity","id":"THES48978"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006BG4594","2006BB0998","2006AN4243","2006AN4244","2019LX1845"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"84","id":"THES49710"},"free":"","case":"CA8","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"altar cards","id":"THES408109"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Spain","id":"x29170"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1600-1630","earliest":"1600-01-01","latest":"1630-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Dr W.L. Hildburgh Bequest","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"354","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"237","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"maximum width","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"140","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"140","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"of base","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Engraved on the rectangular crystal 'card':\r\n\r\nHoc est enim corpus meum / Hic est enim Calix Sanguinis mei noui / et aeterni testamenti mysterium fidei / qui pro vobis & pro multis effundetur / in remissionem peccatorum.","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"Latin: 'For this is the Chalice of my blood, / of the new and everlasting covenant / the mystery of faith / which shall be shed for you and for many / others in the remission of sins'.","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"The words, which echo those of Jesus Himself as he presided over His Last Supper with His disciples, are part of the formula recited by a priest to consecrate wine during the Mass. The wording is consistent with the form agreed during the mid-sixteenth-century Council of Trent and promulgated by the Pope in 1570."}],"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":"Crystal mounted in gilt iron and bronze, Spain, ca.1600-30","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Oman, Charles. <u>The Golden Age of Hispanic Silver, 1400-1665</u>. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1968."},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Hildburgh, W. L. A note on a type of Spanish Altar-ornament. <u>The Antiquaries Journal</u>, 21, 1941, pp. 28-39."}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Altar Card\r\nCards bearing Eucharistic prayers appeared on the Roman Catholic altar during the 16th century. The prayers were specifically associated with the miraculous transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ during the service of Mass, known as the Eucharist. The texts assisted the memory of the priest\r\nwhen he was consecrating the bread and wine, but may also have acted as symbolic\r\nembodiments of the prayers. \r\n\r\nAltar cards were made in a variety of materials. The words engraved on this rock crystal example begin, ‘For this is my body. For this is the cup of my blood.’\r\n\r\nSpain, about 1600–30\r\nCrystal mounted in gilt iron and bronze\r\nMuseum no.M.315-1956. Hildburgh Bequest","date":{"text":"22/11/2005","earliest":"2005-11-22","latest":"2005-11-22"}}],"partNumbers":["M.315-1956"],"accessionNumberNum":"315","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1956,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2016JJ6792"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-14","recordCreationDate":"2005-01-24","availableToBook":false}}