Eucharistic Dove
Unknown Artist
ca. 1215–35
Medium
Gilded copper with champlevé enamel
Dimensions
Overall: 7 1/2 x 7 13/16 x 2 13/16 in. (19 x 19.8 x 7.2 cm) with modern mount: 7 9/16 x 9 3/8 x 6 15/16 in. (19.2 x 23.8 x 17.7 cm) diameter of enameled inner circular base: 3 3/8 in. (8.5 cm)
Classification
Enamels-Champlevé
Culture
French
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.190.344
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the glow of gilded copper and vibrant champlevé enamel, *Eucharistic Dove* (ca. 1215–35) is a exquisite from medieval France. Crafted during the Gothic era's spiritual fervor, this dove-shaped vessel—measuring about 7½ inches wide—likely served as a liturgical pyx, holding the consecrated Eucharistic host. Its form evokes the Holy Spirit descending as a dove, a potent Christian symbol of divine presence and peace, perfect for processions or altar use in 13th-century churches. The artistry shines in its champlevé enamel technique, a hallmark of Limoges workshops. Artisans carved cha...