covered goblet; wide foot below urn-shaped stem; rounded bowl; domed cover; foot has repeating leaf design around edge with fluting at center; long thin leaves on urn on stem; fluting at underside of bowl; cover has radiating cross on knob; radiating leaves at center of cover; floral swags joining four winged heads at edges of cover; gold patina

Travel pyxis, 1811-1814

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In the Catholic church, a pyxis serves as a receptacle for the Blessed Host. The four cherub heads, which decorate its cover, allude to the divine content, but they also refer to the teaching, according to which the Mass on earth is mirrored by the divine liturgy of the angels in the parallel universe of heaven.

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Details
Title
Travel pyxis
Artist Life
1756–1822
Role
Maker
Accession Number
2014.48.1a,b
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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covered goblet; wide foot below urn-shaped stem; rounded bowl; domed cover; foot has repeating leaf design around edge with fluting at center; long thin leaves on urn on stem; fluting at underside of bowl; cover has radiating cross on knob; radiating leaves at center of cover; floral swags joining four winged heads at edges of cover; gold patina