{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O108711"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O108711/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BA1488/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BA1488/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BA1488","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2006AK0913","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O108711/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O108711","accessionNumber":"M.39-1967","objectType":"Chalice","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This skilfully worked chalice and its paten (M.39A-1967) were made for the Catholic Convent of the Visitation in Rouen, France. They would have been used during the service of Mass, when wine (in the chalice) and bread (on the paten) are consecrated by a priest and, in Catholic belief, transform miraculously into the body and blood of Christ. The costly value of the silver and the high quality of the craftsmanship reflect the precious nature of their function. The foot of the chalice is chased (hammered into relief) with the twelve apostles and the paten depicts Christ in Majesty. \r\n\r\nBy tradition, these were the only items of silver from the Convent to survive an attack during the French Revolution in 1791, a period when much French silver was melted down. The convent had been set up in 1630. These pieces were probably presented to the nuns when their chapel was ready for services and were probably the gift of 'IC' whose unidentified arms are engraved on the foot of the chalice. He may have been the priest Jacques Camusat, who first suggested the foundation of the convent.","physicalDescription":"Silver-gilt chalice consisting of a bowl, stem and foot. The upper part of the bowl is plain, the lower part chased (hammered into relief) with swags and cherub heads and screws into a cast and chased baluster-shaped stem decorated with four winged female figures and cherub heads. The lower part of the stem is urn-shaped and screws into the domed base which rises up in the middle to meet it. The base is chased with swags and cherub heads and has a border of twelve lobes, each bearing the head of one of the twelve apostles accompanied by his symbol.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Perlan, Blaise","id":"A14070"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"AAT251917"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silver-gilt","id":"x37998"}],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"},{"text":"chasing","id":"AAT54016"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver-gilt, chased, with cast elements","categories":[{"text":"Christianity","id":"THES48978"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006BA1488","2006AK0913"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"84","id":"THES49710"},"free":"","case":"CA8","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Chalice","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Paris","id":"x29068"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1633-1634","earliest":"1633-01-01","latest":"1634-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"26.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"16.7","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"foot","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Maker's mark (underneath base of chalice): BP with a différend between a crowned fleur-de-lys and two grains de remède, possibly of Blaise Perlan, Warden of the Paris Goldsmiths Guild 1633-4 and 1654","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""},{"content":"Warden's mark (underneath base of chalice): crowned N for 9 December 1633 to 11 December 1634","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, Paris, 1633-4, possibly by Blaise Perlan","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Chalice and Paten\r\nThis skilfully worked paten and its matching chalice were made for the Convent of the Visitation in Rouen, France. They would have been used during the Mass, when wine (in the chalice) and bread (on the paten) are consecrated by a priest. In Roman Catholic belief, they then transform miraculously into the body and blood of Christ. The expense of the silver and the high quality of the craftsmanship reflect the precious nature of the objects. The image on the paten depicts Christ in Majesty. \r\n\r\nBy tradition, these were the only items of silver from the Convent to survive an attack during the French Revolution in 1791, a period when much French silver was melted down. The convent had been set up in 1630. These pieces were probably presented to the nuns when their chapel was ready for services and were probably the gift of ‘IC’ whose unidentified arms are engraved on the foot of the chalice. He may have been the priest Jacques Camusat, who first suggested the foundation of the convent.\r\n\r\nThis skilfully worked chalice and its matching paten were made for the Convent of the Visitation in Rouen, France. They would have been used during the Mass, when wine (in the chalice) and bread (on the paten) are consecrated by a priest. In Roman Catholic belief, they then transform miraculously into the body and blood of Christ. The expense of the silver and the high quality of the craftsmanship reflect the precious nature of the objects. The foot of the chalice is chased (hammered into relief) with the depictions of the twelve Apostles. \r\n\r\nBy tradition, these were the only items of silver from the Convent to survive an attack during the French Revolution in 1791, a period when much French silver was melted down. The convent had been set up in 1630. These pieces were probably presented to the nuns when their chapel was ready for services and were probably the gift of ‘IC’ whose unidentified arms are engraved on the foot of the chalice. He may have been the priest Jacques Camusat, who first suggested the foundation of the convent.\r\n\r\nParis, France, 1633–4; possibly by Blaise Perlan\r\n(active 1633–54). Silver gilt\r\nMuseum nos. M.39&A-1967","date":{"text":"22/11/2005","earliest":"2005-11-22","latest":"2005-11-22"}}],"partNumbers":["M.39-1967"],"accessionNumberNum":"39","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1967,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-14","recordCreationDate":"2005-01-25","availableToBook":false}}