Pax, 1600–1620
MediumCast silver, engraved, partly gilt
(H x W)20,5 x 29 cm
About the workThe pax was an object used in Catholic church services between the thirteenth and eighteenth centuries to relay the kiss of peace to the congregation. To do so, the priest first kissed the altar and then the pax, which he passed around for the believers to kiss. This tablet is elaborately designed, with the words of Christ spoken at the Last Supper before his death engraved on the front in Latin script: “This is my body […], this is my blood.” In addition to a handle, the reverse depicts a total of four scenes, including Jesus among his disciples at the Last Supper as well as his crucifixion.
AccessionGift of Dr. M. J. Binder 1995
Provenance[...]; o.D. Dr. Moritz Julius Binder (1877 - 1947), Berlin; 1947 erhalten als Dauerleihgabe aus dem Nachlass Dr. M. J. Binder; 1995 erworben durch Schenkung aus vorgenanntem Nachlass
Inventory numberP 2001-14