Chalice
Juan Rodríguez de Babia (ca. 1525–1594)
Chalice, 1587
Gilt silver
H.: 10 1/4 in. (26 cm), base diam.: 6 3/8 in. (16.2 cm), diam.: 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm)
Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem
© The Frick Collection
This chalice is one of the earliest surviving pieces in the Latin Treasure. It was a Spanish tradition for the king to present three chalices to churches or religious communities on the Feast of the Epiphany. These chalices were blessed during Mass to commemorate the gifts of the Magi to the baby Jesus. A gift to the Custody from Philip II (r. 1556–98), this chalice is inscribed with the name of Don García de Loaysa y Girón, royal chaplain and tutor of the future Philip III (r. 1598–1621).