Room
III
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In this 15th century room, at one time the storehouse of the Cathedral's Canons, there are ten showcases. They contain in chronological order a series of articles used in the liturgy.
These provide a graphic illustration of the history of the Liturgy from the VIII to the XIX century.
SHOWCASE N° 1
Thuribles-bronze XII-XIII Century
Processional Crosses-copper XII-XIII Century
Processional crosses of XII-XIII century were decorated with recurring religious symbols: on the "recto" (front) the living crucified Christ (Christus triunphans et patiens) and on the "verso" (back) the dead Christ.
The symbol of the Crucifix appears about IX century. Later the Crucified Christ was represented in relief on the front and engraved on the back.
One of the crosses comes from Passano (near Lama-San Giustino) and can be dated in second half 12th century. It is a Latin cross of embossed and engraved copper with traces of gilding. On the "recto", restored late XVI-early XVII century, a crucifix was placed, but the arms of the main cross retain the original decorations. The "verso" carries the original engravings: in the centre, within a circular medallion, is the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) and at the ends of the arms there are the symbols of the four Evangelists. Below the symbol of St. Matthew is a representation of Golgotha (the place of Crucifixion) with two stylized leaves underneath.
The other processional Latin cross, XIII century is in embossed copper with an engraved motif of little circles. It bears traces of gilding and the arms terminate in the form of a swallowtail.
The "recto" has an embossed cross with a nimbus over the
cross piece. At the ends of the arms are figures of the Virgin Mary and St. John the Evangelist. The upright limb carries the figure of an angel and the "etimasia" (a Greek term meaning preparation of a throne).
On the "verso" the figure of the dead Christ appears in the centre with the symbols of the four Evangelist at the ends of the
arms.
Among the thuribles there is a Romanesque one in embossed bronze of second half XII century, which comes from nearby Pietralunga.
It has two characteristic elements of European thuribles of this period: the cup which serves as a brazier, reminiscent of a Roman capital "a dado" and the cover in which roof-tops and windows form the decorative element surmounted by small turrets, symbolically evocative of the "celestial Jerusalem". It was probably imported from Germany.
The other Romanesque thurible of XIII century comes from St. Maria of Castelfranco and is made of perforated bronze with a high copper content.
As with other examples of this kind, the cup has wedge-shaped protrusions among which leaves are carved in relief. The pierced lid is decorated with tendrils and is surmounted by a small
lantern.
Thuribles of this design are of Italian origin and were prevalent in Central Italy.
SHOWCASE N° 2
Romanesque Capselle, "gesso"- wood, VIII-XI century.
These are reliquaries. The one without a lid comes from the Abbey of Graticcioli and carries a legible inscription with the date 1079.
Two are of "gesso" closed with lids and come from the ancient Church of Galliano.
One of these is in the shape of a sarcophagus and carries an inscription.
SHOWCASE N° 3
Chalices, gilded copper, XIV-XV
century.
Altar cross, veined agate, XV century.
Bishop's
Mitre, XVI century.
The chalice in gilded copper, embossed and engraved on the base and stem, is one of the oldest examples in the collection and dates from late XIV - early XV century.
The veined agate altar cross standing on an oriental jasper base, has a gilded silver mount. It is of XV century Florentine workmanship.
SHOWCASE N° 4
Thuribles,
Incense
boats, bronze XIII-XIV century.
One of the bronze pierced thuribles comes from Valdipetrina. It has an hexagonal lid terminating in the shape of a
bell. Among a series of small columns, the central motif is an arch spanning each side of the hexagon surmounted by a flower and framing a "quatrefoil" .
The most simple kind of thurible, it belongs to the type " a forma di globo" (in the shape of a globe) and was the most widely diffused throughout Europe in XII and XIII centuries. This one is probably of local
manufacture.
SHOWCASE N° 5
Processional crosses, Copper XV-XVI century
Thuribles bronze XVI century.
The arms of all the crosses terminate in the shape of a clover leaf. On the "recto" of one of them a pelican is engraved, a recurring symbol on crosses of this period, and at the ends of the arms four figures pierced with holes for nails ( in order to accommodate crucifixes of various sizes) which represent the " Eternal Father with his forefinger raised and holding a book and the weeping figures of the Virgin Mary. St. John the Evangelist and Mary Magdalen.
On the "verso" the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) is represented in the centre with the four Evangelists and their symbols at the ends of the arms.
On the "recto" of another cross the Eternal Father is shown holding a globe surmounted by a cross, with three Evangelists holding open a Gospel from which a phrase can be read.
A third cross from the Abbey of Scalocchio has a Crucifix nailed to the "recto" and at the extremities an angel and the three weeping figures. The "verso" has an engraving in the centre of the Omnipotent Christ giving benediction
(Pantocrątor) and at the remaining extremity the evangelical symbol of St.
Luke.
SHOWCASE N° 6
Silver chalices XVI-XVII century
Chalice in silver filigree - 1667
Silver Pyx - XVIII century
Pace (Kiss-of-peace
plaque) gilded silver XVIII
Ewer and Pitcher - silver XVIII century
SHOWCASE N° 7
Chalices in silver gilded bronze and gilded silver XVIII century
Embroidered chalice cover XVIII century
The centre chalice is XVIII century and is in gilded silver embossed and engraved.
Of Roman workmanship the base is embossed with three scenes of Christ's Passion: the crowning with thorns ,"Ecce Homo", and the Crucifixion with weeping figures.
SHOWCASE N° 8
Chalices- gilded silver- XVIII century
Silver Pyx - XVIII century
Chalice and paten: Fucci family - Silver - XVII century
Inkwell and Sand box
Indicatorium
Silver candlestick - XVIII century
Baptismal cup - silver- XIX century
Chrysm oil pyx- silver - XIX century
SHOWCASE N° 9
"Kiss of peace" plaque- silver partly gilded- XIX century
Ewer and pitcher - silver- XIX century
Small silver bucket - silver- XIX century
Scissors - silver- XIX century
Trowel with ivory handle - silver- XIX century
Pyxes- silver- XIX century
Small silver bell- XIX century
Small baptismal cup - silver- XIX century
Spoon - gold- XIX century
Crystal ampula with silver tray - XIX century
Small silver boxes to contain the Host for ministering to the dying - XIX century.
SHOWCASE N°10
Chalice in gilded silver - XIX century
Silver pyx - XIX century
Small silver bell - XIX century
Two silver ampulae with
plate - XIX century
Chalice in silver gilt decorated with garnets and pearls.
The chalice with the garnet and pearl decoration is of 1882
The three figures on the base represent the three virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity. On the stem are figures of Jesus Christ, St. Peter and St. Paul while the cup is embellished with three scenes of Christ's passion. The chalice was donated by Pietro Paolieri (an Ecclesiastical Dignitary)
At the end of the room:
Madonna and Child ( the Madonna of Uselle) XIV century Umbrian wooden sculpture. This ancient image is known as the "Madonna del Parto" and comes from the Abbey of Uselle.
Roman votive altar in marble, of the Arronia family (Arruniia) I first century A.D. It is ornamented in bas relief with early Christian symbols.
It comes from the Church of St. John of Rignaldello (Cittą di Castello) where it was placed at the right of the door and served as a container for the holy water. In the VI century the side and back were decorated with bas relief sculpture in the style of the Ravenna School.
It was presented to the Museum in 1990 by the local Council.
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