Viaticum box

Created: 1630

Material, technology: silver gilt

Size: h.: 4.7 cm

Description: Cylindrical in form with finely articulated perimeters, this box has a lid and inner cover with hinges, and three round recesses. There are three circles welded onto the inner cover, which form a lid for the three recesses. The following letters are engraved in the circles: "O" (Oleum Cathechumenorum, oil for christenings) "C" (Krizma), and "I" (Oleum Infirmorum, oil for extreme unction). On the lid, written in a semi-circle within a garland of leaves and encircling the coat of arms of János Telegdy, Bishop of Kalocsa is the inscription: IOANN: TELEGDINVS ARCHEP: COL: 1630. Telegdy was the Bishop of Nyitra from 1619, but in 1620 the troops of Gábor Bethlen forced him to flee to Vienna. Although he became the Bishop of Kalocsa in 1623, the conquest of the Turks prevented him from occupying his see. This travel set was probably made in Vienna, where he resided.