Adapted from Félibien, Plate III, Item R |
Washington , National Gallery |
Chalice and Paten of Abbot Suger. The cup of the chalice is an oriental agate, very weel carved. The mounting, on which is written SUGER ABBAS, is of gold vermeil enriched with jewels.
Suger describes how he had the chalice made:
Moreover, with the devotion due to the blessed Denis, we acquired vessels of gold and precious stones for the service of the Lord's table, in addition to the ones already donated for this purpose by kings of the Franks and those devoted to the church. To be specific, we ordered a big gold chalice containing one hundred forty ounces of gold and decorated with precious gems (hyacinths and topazes) as a substitute for another which had been pawned during the time of our predecessor.
The Book of Suger Abbot of St. Denis on What Was Done During his Administration, Chapter XXXIVA. Translated by Dr. David Burr of the History Department of Virginia, and reproduced here with his kind permission.
Click here for the history of the chalice by the National Gallery.
Click here to see other chalices and patens in the Treasure of Saint Denis
Click here for a bibliography specifically about the Chalice.
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