Monstrance

Created: Vienna, 1772

Material, technology: silver gilt, gemstones (diamond, amethyst, almandine, garnet, ruby, topaz, olivine, and mountain chrystals), pearls, green translucent enamel

Size: h.: 66.7 cm, base: 26.5 x 19.8 cm

Description: The four-lobed, oval base has an articulated, convex, reticulated perimeter. The concave base is divided into four parts by volutes extending into a short stem decorated with flowers with leaves woven into shell-shapes. The voluted, chased upper part, lavishly decorated using the repoussé technique, is framed by golden rays. On both the right and left is a cast figure of an angel holding ears of wheat. Above the tabernacle is the figure of God the Father resting his hand on a blue glass globe inscribed with a tau cross. In front of him is the Holy Spirit as a dove. At the top is a Latin cross with three-lobed ends. Sculpturesque grapevines with green translucent enamel leaves wind around the repoussé decoration of the tabernacle, with bunches of grapes made from strings of pearls. The base, node, and frame and lunula of the tabernacle are decorated with rows of precious gems in closed settings.