18th Century Almsgiver Plate with Saint Brass

About the Item

18th century Almsgiver plate with saint Brass, 46 cm diameter The alms dish, properly called "alms dish", is a container usually decorated in the shape of a large basin or plate for the collection of offerings for the Church; generally in metal such as bronze, brass, silver and gold. The presence of central phytomorphic or pinwheel decorations or with subjects taken from the bible is constant, it can also present in the center a support to fix an iconographic element (a statuette) or even a candle holder or compartments for the subdivision of alms. The Almsgiver Plate is an artisan object that has been present and documented since the Middle Ages throughout southern Europe from the second half of the 15th century to the mid-18th century and beyond; of initial Flemish production (Mechelen / Malines area) and German (Nuremberg area) and gradually of enlarged regional production. It is called this because in the churches of Germany at the beginning of the fifteenth century (about 60 years before Martin Luther), during the masses it was customary to collect the offerings in brass plates, basins and basins, called almsgivers for this very reason. At one time only the sacristan handled them, passing among the faithful during religious services in the church and they were used for that purpose until the late nineteenth century; then replaced by fabric alms with slit opening, most likely for reasons of confidentiality. The artisan workshops of Nuremberg began to build them in quantity and with increasingly valuable specimens, especially after the fashion of hanging various types and craftsmanship at home spread throughout Europe from the mid-fifteenth century throughout Europe. These dishes are often presented in a series of standardized executions due to a massive production of a proto-industrial type spread especially in the areas of Catholic influence (southern Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Flanders). In Italy the almsgiver plate is also used on Good Friday to rest the nails and the crown of thorns during the ceremony of the deposition of Christ from the cross while in Sardinia it is used in a particular way, it becomes a musical instrument used to accompany the Sardinian dance. . The alms-holder plate examined, in brass, has three figures including a holy bishop and two attendants holding a chalice and the censer for incense. This dish fits into the tradition of plates decorated with sacred representations, both Old Testament and New Testament episodes, such as St. George on horseback, but also the Agnus dei, Adam and Eve etc.

Dimensions:

Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)Diameter: 18.12 in (46 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Brass

Place of Origin:

Italy

Period:

18th Century

Date of Manufacture:

18th Century

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.