France, Limoges, Vers 1200-1220

la croix et la serrure rapportés

Vente à Paris, le 14 avril 1910, p. 28, no. 70, reproduit

Exposition d'objets d'art du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance, Hôtel de Sagan, Paris, 1913.

Exposition d'objets d'art du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance organisée par la marquise de Ganay chez Jacques Seligmann, 23 rue Constantine, Hôtel de Sagan, cat. exp. Paris, 1913, no. 221.

Good condition overall with very minor wear to the gilding, especially to the edges of the casket (as can be seen on the photograph). The hasp and cross finial are later additions. Very minor loss to the enamel. Very fine and attractive piece.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Ce petit coffret en émail champlevé est destiné à recevoir des flacons d'huiles, dont le saint chrême, l'huile des catéchumènes et l'huile des exorcistes. Ces huiles étaient employées pour des sacrements comme l'ordination de prêtres, la confirmation, le baptême ou la consécration d'une église. L'existence de ces saintes huiles est déjà attesté dans les écrits des premiers Chrétiens, comme Tertullien au IIème siècle ou Hippolyte de Rome au début du IIIème siècle. 

L'intérieur de la boite contenait à l'origine une plaque en cuivre avec des compartiments circulaires pour recevoir les ampoules en verre. Le couvercle était probablement surmonté d'une poignée globulaire remplaçée ici par une croix. La qualité des émaux, le style élégant des anges aux ailes éployées et la rareté de l'objet font de ce coffret l'une des plus belles œuvres de l'émaillerie limousine comparable aux exemplaires du Metropolitan Museum de New York et du Musée Louvre (no. 72 et 73).

REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHIQUES
E. Taburet-Delahaye, B. Boehm, L'Oeuvre de Limoges. Emaux Limousins du Moyen Age, cat. exp. Paris, New York, 1995- 1996, p. 278, no. 72-74.

FRENCH, LIMOGES, CIRCA 1200-1220
A CHAMPLEVE ENAMEL CHRISTMATORY
later hasp and cross finial

This small champlevé casket, known as a christmatory, was fashioned to hold the holy oils, including the oil of chrism, the oil of catechumens and the oil of the sick, used in sacraments such as the ordination of priests, confirmation, baptism and the consecration of churches. The use of such oils can be documented to early Christian texts such as the 2nd century writings of Tertullien, and Hippolytus of Rome in the early 3rd century. 

The interior of the casket was originally fitted with an inner copper shelf pierced with roundels to hold the glass vessels which contained the oils. The lid was probably originally surmounted by a sphere which in the present example has been replaced with a cross. The quality of the enamelling, the elegant rendering of the angels with outstretched wings and the rarity of such an object make this casket one of the most interesting and beautiful works of Limoges champlevé enamel. It can be compared with examples in the Metropolitan Museum, New York and the Louvre in Paris (nos. 72 and 73).