This straw is one of an ensemble containing some of the elements needed for the celebration of the Eucharist: the paten for the bread (acc. no. 47.101.27), the chalice to hold the wine (acc. no. 47.101.26), and, exceptionally, a straw to sip the wine. Straws such as this rare example were used to prevent spilling even a drop of the consecrated wine. The representation of Saint Trudpert on the paten indicates that the ensemble was made for the monastery dedicated to him near Freiburg im Breisgau, where he was martyred.
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Artwork Details
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Title:Straw
Date:ca. 1230–50
Culture:German
Medium:Silver, partly gilt; niello, jewels
Dimensions:15/16 x 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (2.4 x 0.6 x 21.6 cm)
Classification:Metalwork-Silver
Credit Line:The Cloisters Collection, 1947
Object Number:47.101.28
From the Benedictine monastery of Saint Trudpert at Münstertal, near Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; monastery secularized in 1806 and these works subsequently sold in Paris in the late nineteenth century (Josef Sauer, 1935); Alexander Petrovich Basilevsky, Paris (1878–1885) ; State Hermitage Museum (from 1885) ; [ Rosenberg & Stiebel New York (1930s–sold half interest 1941 and 1942)] ; [ Brummer Gallery, Paris and New York (1941–sold 1947) ]
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Württembergisches Landesmuseum. "Die zeit der Staufer," March 26–June 5, 1977.
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