This piece is a ciborium of small dimensions executed in silver, originating from a workshop in the German town of Augsburg.
The piece rests upon a base with two distinct zones: a lower smooth section and an upper decorated one. Regarding the latter, it features a decoration of vegetal motifs and three medallions with profile portraits of Roman emperors, clearly inspired by numismatic models.
In its intermediate section, the ciborium displays a double knot structured from acanthus leaves. On the upper body, a large cup with medallions containing six profile portraits, each with a certain historical connection and respectively accompanied by the inscriptions: “Brutus, Julius Caesar, Gaius Portius, Marcus Marcellus, and Caesar Augustus” (Sáez González, 1987: 25). Likewise, each medallion is separated by vegetal motifs in the intermediate sections.
Finally, the lid presents a decoration conceived in the same terms as the rest of the piece, and culminates in a Latin cross of polygonal section.
Furthermore, it should be noted that the piece features a mark on the base, in which it is possible to identify a pineapple shape and the letter “Z”.
- Chamoso Lamas, M. e Casamar, M. (1980). Museo de Arte Sacro Clarisas de Monforte. Madrid: Caja de Ahorros de Galicia.
- Sáez González, M. (1987). La platería en Monforte de Lemos. Lugo: Diputación de Lugo.
