the stoup or flagon of recent times; being ill suited, on account of their large dimensions, for the purpose of administration. A large chalice with two handles, which could not easily be raised by a man, was preserved in the treasury of Mayence cathedral[1].
The fashion of the chalice in primitive ages, was, probably, of the most simple kind. The silver chalice formerly exhibited to pilgrims at Jerusalem as the cup used by our Saviour at the last supper, was formed, as described by Bede, with two handles[2]; and although the antiquity of the tradition may be questionable, it is not improbable that in many instances the shape of the calix ansatus may have been assimilated to such a revered model. In later times a plain cup was used, somewhat more elevated in its proportions, fashioned with a knop, or pomellum, beneath the bowl, whereby it might be securely held; and it was occasionally inscribed or marked by some appropriate symbol[3]. Subsequently, the bowl was made of smaller proportions, the administration of the wine to the laity being forbidden; and, as a precaution against the risk of its being overturned, the foot was made very wide, with indentations, intended, according to De Vert, to keep the chalice steady, when it was laid to drain on the paten, after celebration, in accordance with an ancient usage[4]. The knop and foot were decorated in the most sumptuous manner, the bowl being usually quite plain; nielli, enamels, gems, and other precious objects were incrusted amongst the elaborately chased or graven ornaments of the lower parts of the chalice.
The apprehension that some portion of the sacred element might accidentally be spilled during administration, had pre-
- ↑ It may be doubtful whether the antique vase of oriental agate, given to St. Denis by Charles III., was ever used as a chalice, the ornaments sculptured upon it being of a profane character, but the famous chalice of the Abbot Suger, formed of the same material, as likewise one of crystal, attributed to St. Denis himself, had handles. Felibien, plates iii. vi., p. 541. There were curious chalices with handles at St. Josse sur Mer, near Montreuil, and in other churches in France, noticed by De Vert, Cerem. de L'Egl. iv. 162.
- ↑ Beda, de locis Sanctis, c. 2. Adamnanus de locis sacris, lib. i. Baron. An. 34. Another chalice, formed of agate, supposed to have been used by the Saviour, was preserved at Valentia, in Spain.
- ↑ The chalice of St. Ludgerius, founder of the abbey of Verden, A.D. 796, was there preserved, and the Benedictines have given a representation of it. An inscription ran round both the edge of the bowl and the foot. Voyage Litt. ii. 234. Of somewhat similar form is the silver cup discovered at St. Austell, in Cornwall, with objects of Saxon date, and a coin of Burghred, king of Mercia, dethroned A.D. 874. It was subsequently used as a communion cup in a neighbouring parish church. Archæol. ix. pl. viii., and xi. pl. vii.
- ↑ The chalice was formerly laid on its side also at the commencement of the mass, See M. Didron's interesting dissertation on the tapestry at Montpezat, representing the mass of St. Martin. Annales Archæol., iii. 108.
