3-011-621 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Loan Collection, South-Kensington, 1862. Ciborium, or pyx, in gilt metal, ornamented with plaques of niello-work and enamelled glass pastes. Italian work, thirteenth or fourteenth century...This very unusual and remarkable specimen has a very marked Byzantine aspect...The designs represented in...[the] plaques are half figures of the Apostles, Our Saviour (twice repeated), and other saints...These representations on the plaques of glass are executed in enamels and gold pencilling in a very remarkable and unusual manner, evidently vitrified, or "burnt in."...it seems suggestive of an origin of great antiquity, probably even of classical times. The Hon. R. Curzon, jun. Silver-gilt rose-water ewer. The ewer is oviform, with very high handle, in form of a hydra or monster, with three heads...On the body are four cartouches of the Seasons...the whole connected and diversified by the richest and most beautiful arabesques. Earl Cowper. Covered cup formed of ruby glass, mounted in silver partly gilt; the foot is moulded in a scale-pattern...in the cover are set three medallions engraved with ships. The top is surmounted by a cupid in silver. Mrs. Paul'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.