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Eucharistic Dove
(Medieval Europe )
Used for storing communion wafers, doves such as this were suspended above the altar to signify the presence of the Holy Spirit at the Mass. On this fine, colorful example, the sparkling glass eyes and shimmering enamels on the wings and tail highlight the richness of the material of the liturgical vessel. The wafers were stored in a cavity under a hinged lid on the bird's back.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object.
Henry Walters, Baltimore, [date of acquisition unknown], by purchase; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 1998-2001 | Highlights from the Collection. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1999-2000 | Vive la France! French Treasures from the Middle Ages to Monet. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1996-1997 | Russian Enamels. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1994 | Art of the Romanesque. University Art Gallery, South Bend. |
| 1962 | The Arts of Man. Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas. |
| 1958 | Religious Art of the Western World. Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas. |
| 1955 | Five Year Favorites. Junior Art Gallery, Louisville. |
| 1954 | Early Birds. Junior Art Gallery, Louisville. |
| 2024 | Secrets of Our Own. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 0. |
Geographies
France (Limoges) (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Dove H: 7 1/16 x W: 3 7/16 x D:8 5/16 in. (17.9 x 8.8 x 21.1 cm); Dove on Plate H: 7 5/16 x W: 7 11/16 x D: 8 7/16 in. (18.6 x 19.5 x 21.4 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Not on view
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
44.3
