Pyx of Limoges, 13th century.
Enameled copper.
Pyx formed by a cylindrical box with a conical cover, topped by a Latin cross. It is decorated with Christian anagrams, framed in circular cartouches located on the container and on the lid. These cartouches alternate with interlocking motifs on a cobalt blue background, elements of Islamic influence typical of Limoges. The lid appears articulated by means of a rear hinge, and at the front it has a pin closure. Presents interior restoration.
The pyx or host is the container destined to keep the Sacred Form. This is a typological novelty that emerged at the end of the Romanesque period in Limoges, a center that produces enameled silverware. It has its origin in the Greek pyx, a small box with a lid that used to be used to store jewelry or beauty products. The first hostiaries took the form of a cylindrical box with a conical lid, articulated by a hinge or linked by a chain. Already in these early examples from Limoges it was common for it to be finished in a cross, although it has rarely been preserved. During the Gothic period, this same structure will be maintained, although it may already appear with or without a hinge and closure. Likewise, in the Gothic the hostiary reduces its size, which indicates a change in its function. It is no longer used during mass, since that function is covered by the ciborium, but is used to give communion to the sick in their homes. The finishing cross continues to be maintained, already essential for all the Eucharistic pieces.
The Limoges workshop appeared in the last quarter of the 12th century, and continued its activity until the 14th century. In the 15th century it will flourish again, already with the new technique of painted enamel. It will be the most important enamels workshop, above the Rhineland and Meuse, which disappeared in the 12th century and were dedicated to the production of loose plates on request, which were then mounted on an object or joined to form altar fronts. On the contrary, in Limoges a production of objects was launched, not only plates, decorated with enamels especially for the religious sphere, but also for the layman. They are cheaper pieces, with a copper base, and very showy for the enameled decoration, for which they enjoyed enormous and immediate success throughout Europe. Limoges is also cited in the documents, which indicates that it was a transcendent center known throughout Western Europe. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Limoges will be its very shallow bottom drag, which does not go beyond two or three millimeters. To represent details, a partition is used so fine that it can only be distinguished from the excavated one by careful observation through a magnifying glass. Taking into account what has been done in the Rhineland and Meuse, in Limoges its own, unmistakable features are introduced, and in fact the glazes will be applied according to the client's taste, filling only the background, only the figures or both. Regarding the chromatic range, it uses that of the Meuse workshops, very varied, but adding new colors, such as olive green, a light grayish blue or white for the carnations. In the long history of these workshops, one of their main successes was precisely not only making plates, but also complete pieces."
· Size: 7,5x7,5x13 cms.
ANTIQUES
MISCELLANEOUS;OTHER OBJECTS
