Chalice

The sexfoil base of this chalice is separated into two sections horizontally. The lower section is decorated with embossed, ungilt floral and fruit motifs framed in rectangular fields, while the upper surface is divided by floral vine ornaments radiating upwards towards the stem. A silver collar of leaves is set on the hexagonal, slightly tapering stem-like upper part of the base, and the vase-shaped node has floral decoration. The cup has a slightly flattened semicircular shape with its lip flaring outward like a bell. It sits in an openwork silver calix running up three-quarters the height of the bowl and decorated with colorful cut-glass gems. Only the upper band of the cup’s bowl has been gilt. The master’s mark of Martinus (Merten) Tink from Brassó (Braşov, Romania), who is listed as a master craftsperson in the sources between 1586 and 1587 (Gyárfás Tihamér: A brassai ötvösség története [History of Metalworking in Braşov]. Művelődéstörténeti monográfiák, 2. Brassó, 1912, 95: no. 92; 323: no. 94), can be seen on the edge of the foot (“MT” with a crown above, see: Kőszeghy 178).

by Anna Ecsedy