{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O109775"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O109775/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AB8281/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AB8281/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AB8281","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O109775/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O109775","accessionNumber":"M.6:1 to 4-2005","objectType":"Chrismatory","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"A silver-gilt chrismatory, dating from the late 18th century, a container for the holy oil used in Roman Catholic sacraments of baptism, confirmation, ordination and in anointing the sick.","physicalDescription":"Of cylindrical form in three compartments each marked on the side with an initials I, B, or C, engraved on the upper lid with the initials HPG, the lids to the lower two compartments are attached to the compartment directly above. Each lid screws open and closed.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"silver-gilt","id":"x37998"}],"techniques":[{"text":"engraving","id":"AAT53829"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Silver-gilt","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Christianity","id":"THES48978"},{"text":"Religion","id":"THES48900"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2006AB8281"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"83","id":"THES49711"},"free":"","case":"CA4A","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"83","id":"THES49711"},"free":"","case":"CA4A","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"83","id":"THES49711"},"free":"","case":"CA4A","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"83","id":"THES49711"},"free":"","case":"CA4A","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Chrismatory","id":""}],[{"text":"Chrismatory","id":""}],[{"text":"Chrismatory","id":""}],[{"text":"Chrismatory","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1790-1810","earliest":"1785-01-01","latest":"1810-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Juliet and Christopher Hartop","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"5.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"2.8","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Engraved with the letters I, B & C on the side of the compartments and the initials HPG on the top of the upper lid","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":"No marks","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":"A christmatory is a container for holy oil. This example of cylindrical form has three compartments to contain the three holy oils each engraved with the appropriate letter of the alphabet on the side. The uppermost compartment is engraved with the letter I for 'oleum Infirmorum' which was used to anoint the sick; the next bears a B for 'oleum catachumenorum' used to anoint those being baptised and the third bears the letter C for 'Chrisma' which was used for confirmation, ordination and consecration. The floreated initials on the upper lid MPG record the identity of the original owner. Apart from the initials identifying the different oils, the chrismatory is unmarked to protect the identification of the maker. It dates from the late 18th century or early 19th century before Catholic Emancipation in 1829.\n\nHistorical significance: The Catholic plate that survives from before the 1660s is mainly limited to chalices, paxes and pyxes. These earlier pieces are rarely marked. After 1688 Catholic plate was more often hallmarked and the range of forms expanded to include sanctuary lamps, cruets and incense boats. In London Catholics could worship openly in foreign embassy chapels. This chrismatory is a rare survival of an essential accessory for the administration of the Catholic sacraments of baptism, confirmation and ordination.","historicalContext":"Secret Catholicism\r\nAfter the Reformation, the Roman Catholic faith was severely restricted. Catholics who refused to attend Church of England services were known as recusants and until the late 17th century they had to worship in secret. However, the Dukes of Norfolk and aristocratic families such as the Arundells at Wardour Castle encouraged Catholic communities to use their private chapels and so kept the faith alive.\r\n\r\nThe Catholic plate that survives from before the 1660s is mainly limited to chalices, paxes and pyxes. These earlier pieces are rarely marked. After 1688, Catholic plate was more often hallmarked and the range of forms expanded to include sanctuary lamps, cruets and incense boats. \r\n\r\nIn London, Catholics could worship openly in foreign embassy chapels. The silver from the Sardinian Embassy chapel can be seen in the case to the right. During the reign of Charles II, Catholic courtiers could also attend the queen’s private chapel and that of the Queen Mother, Henrietta Maria.\r\n\r\nThis piece was used from the late 18th century in the Roman Catholic faith in England. After the Reformation, practice of the Roman Catholic faith was severely restricted. Catholics who refused to attend Church of England services were known as recusants and until the late 17th century had to worship in secret. However, aristocratic families such as the Dukes of Norfolk at Arundel Castle and the Arundells at Wardour encouraged Roman Catholic communities to use their private chapels and so kept their faith alive.","briefDescription":"A silver-gilt chrismatory (container for Holy Oil) used in Roman Catholic worship in England, late 18th century.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"A chrismatory is a container used in Roman Catholic worship for three holy oils. The letters ‘I’,’B’ and ‘C’ identify the different oils: oleum infirmorum to anoint the sick; oleum catechumenorum for baptism and chrisma for confirmation, ordination and consecration. There is no maker’s mark but the initials ‘MPW’ on the top record the original owner.\r\n\r\nLondon, England, 1790–1810. Silver gilt\r\nMuseum no. M.6-2005\r\nGiven by Mr and Mrs Christopher Hartop","date":{"text":"22/11/2005","earliest":"2005-11-22","latest":"2005-11-22"}}],"partNumbers":["M.6:4-2005","M.6:3-2005","M.6:2-2005","M.6:1-2005"],"accessionNumberNum":"6","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":2005,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Chrismatory [1]","Chrismatory [2]","Chrismatory [3]","Chrismatory [4]"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-14","recordCreationDate":"2005-03-01","availableToBook":false}}