Silver-gilt Monstrance

Spanish

V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum)

1600 - 1700

The monstrance is in a style which originated in Spain during the reign of Philip II but whose heyday really began in the first half of the 17th century. The essential feature of the style is its architectural character, a reaction against the elaborateness of the preceding Mannerist style. Effects of richness were achieved by cast ornamental details, pointille decoration, and enamelled bosses. It is in fact designed to match the architectural style formulated in the Escorial, by the architects Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrara.

• Medium: silver-gilt
• Dimensions: 56 cm
• ArtFunded in: 1969
• Vendor: S J Phillips

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