Liturgical Bucket For Holy Water

Balkans or Christian Caucasus - Late 16th - early 17th century

Height: 8 cm - Diameter: 9 cm - Weight: 176 g

Description

Important liturgical bucket in solid silver, intended to contain holy water during orthodox rites. The piece belongs to the post-Byzantine tradition of monastic workshops active in the Balkans, Mount Athos or the Christian Caucasus between the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century. The decor, entirely pushed back and chiseled, is structured in five compartments separated by palm-shaped columns. Each scene is inscribed under a trilobed arch of paleologic inspiration, surmounted by seraphic angels with radiant collars - a characteristic motif of Orthodox goldsmithing of the 16th-17th centuries. The five christological scenes represented are: – The Annunciation – The Nativity – The Baptism of Christ – The Crucifixion (living Christ, oriental type) – Anastasis / Resurrection The cove is made up of two clashing dragons, a typical apotropaic motif of the late medieval Balkan and Caucasian goldsmithing, largely attested from the 13th to the 17th century but then disappeared. The bottom, closed and slightly convex, confirms the function of a liturgical seal.

Assessment

Based on the comparables in public collections and specialized sales: – Specialized market: 1,800 – €2,500 – Orthodox art-oriented collector: 3,500 - €5,000 – Insurance value: 6,000 – €8,000