Tray and Cruets
Master IK
Tray and Cruets, 1740
Gold, gilt silver, precious and semi-precious stone
Tray: 13 3/8 × 16 5/16 × 1 in. (34 × 41.5 × 2.5 cm)
Cruets: Each 6 1/8 × 3 3/8 × 5 1/2 × 2 9/16 in. (15.5 × 8.5 × 14 × 6.5 cm)
Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem
© The Frick Collection
Cruets are small containers for water and wine that are poured by the priest into the chalice during Mass. The decoration of this magnificent set is linked to its use. Wheat and grapes are shown surrounding four biblical scenes (relating to water and wine) in relief in pink gold: Rebecca at the Well, the Wedding Feast at Cana, the Samaritan Woman at the Well, and the Last Supper. On the bodies of the cruets are reliefs displaying the four virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity, and Meekness. A gift as luxurious as this most likely came from the emperor. Signed with the initials IK, the piece must have been made by an important Viennese goldsmith.
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