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

Accession Number: 47.101.28

Description

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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