Armenian Silver Incense Box with Agnus Dei

Armenia or Ottoman Empire, 18th or 19th century
Enamelled silver filigree and parcel gilt silver
6.5 cm diameter, 4 cm high
Stock no.: A6140

+44 (0)20 4572 6886

An octagonal parcel silver gilt box decorated with green and blue cloisonné enamel. The lid is of silver gilt, decorated with a repoussé agnus dei or lamb of God. This would have been used at the altar, possibly to hold incense or the Holy Communion. A series of related altar containers, all dated to the 18th or 19th century, are illustrated in Aspects of Armenian Art.¹

[1] Chondrogiannis, Stamatios (ed.). Aspects of Armenian Art: The Kalfayan Collection. Thessaloniki: Museum of Byzantine Culture, 2010, pp. 126–129, cats 73–76.

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