Studio: international art (88.1924)

LONDON

" STILL LIFE, SUMMER FLOWERS "
BY IVON W. BROOKS

(St. George's Gallery)

The mediaeval chrismatory was always
quite a small box and was perhaps one of
the most beautiful and interesting of the
smaller vessels formerly in use in every
ancient church. To-day it is one of the
very rarest amongst examples of mediaeval
worked metal. It was used to contain
the oils and chrism used in certain offices
of the church. In form the box varied
greatly and was constructed at all times in
almost every kind of metal. 0 0

The excellence of the picture kindly
furnished by the Director of the Museum,
and the official note, make it unnecessary
to attempt any further description of the
box. The official note reads : 0 0

" Chrismatory (formerly called a Pyx)
champleve enamel on gilt metal, square
with conical lid, the pattern of interlaced
foliage and scroll-work on blue ground.
Rhenish-Byzantine, 13th century. H. 4 in.
W. 3 in." 00000

THIRTEENTH CENTURY
CHRISMATORY (3 INS.X4 INS.)

(By the courtesy of the Director
of the Victoria and Albert Museum)

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