Paten

Date: ca. 1230–50

Culture: German

Medium: Silver, partly gilt; niello, jewels

Dimensions: 7/8 x 8 3/4 in. (2.2 x 22.2 cm)

Classification: Metalwork-Silver

Credit Line: The Cloisters Collection, 1947

Accession Number: 47.101.27

Description

This paten is one of an ensemble containing some of the elements needed for the celebration of the Eucharist: the paten for the bread, the chalice to hold the wine (acc. no. 47.101.26), and, exceptionally, a straw to sip the wine (acc. no. 47.101.28). The paten includes a half-length figure of Christ holding a chalice and the Host. He is flanked by the Old Testament figures Abel, offering a lamb, and Melchisedech, clad as a bishop and raising a chalice. The fourth figure on the paten is Saint Trudpert, who holds a martyr’s palm, indicating that this set of implements comes from the monastery of Saint Trudpert, near Freiburg im Breisgau.

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