Western Europe, prior to 1854

This chalice is thought to have been created not for liturgical use but as a work of art to express an unconventional interpretation of traditional Byzantine iconography. Scenes from the life of Christ are cast on the chalice. It has enamel paintings of the Savior, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Mary Magdalene and the Apostles. It also incorporates elements that are unusual in religious art: the allegories “Children’s Love for Parents” and “Grief with the Emblem of Death”, and the image of Satan crushed with the Blood of Christ. It was the famous collector Count Mykolas Tiškevičius of Biržai who donated the chalice to Vilnius Cathedral.