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Pyx
Made at: Limoges (France)
French (Limoges)
Medieval
first half of 13th century
Object Place: Europe, Limoges, France
Medium/Technique
Champlevé enamel and gilding on copper
Dimensions
Overall: 9.5 x 6.9cm (3 3/4 x 2 11/16in.)
Other (Overall): 6.9cm (2 11/16in.)
Other (Overall): 6.9cm (2 11/16in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Horatio Greenough Curtis
Accession Number15.322
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsEnamels
DescriptionRound container, enameled and gilded outside and gilded inside, with a conical lid, a knob on top, hinge, and clasp. The bottom is attached by six mortise-and-tenon joints; the seams of the lid and body are aligned with the hinge. The copper plaques are bent and soldered, champlevé, engraved, enameled, and gilded. Enamel colors are lapis blue, turquoise, and white in single fields. Against a lapis-blue ground, white medallions with the monogram of Christ (three on the lid and four on the bottom) alternate with heart-shaped tendrils surrounding five-petaled palmettes in reserve on a turquoise ground. The monogram IHS with an abbreviation mark above and gilded cross below is in its proper form in the upper medallions but is inverted SHI on the body. Gilded bands with double rows of engraved dots frame the enamel fields.
Provenance1889, Johann Bossard, Lucerne. By 1915, with Horatio G. Curtis; 1915, gift of Horatio G. Curtis. (Accession date: April 1, 1915)