18th century brass alms dish

18th century Alms dish Brass, cm diameter 48   The alms dish, properly called "alms plate", is a usually decorated container in the shape of a large basin or plate for collecting offerings for the Church; generally made of metal such as bronze, brass, silver and gold. The central decorations are constantly phytomorphic or in a whirl, or with subjects taken from the Bible, it can also have in the center a support to fix an iconographic element (a statuette) or even a candlestick or compartments for the subdivision of alms. The alms dish is a craft object present and documented since the Middle Ages throughout Southern Europe from the second half of the 15th century, until the middle of the 18th century and beyond; initially produced in Flanders (Mechelen/Malines area) and Germany (Nuremberg area) and gradually then of extended regional production. It is so called because in the churches of early fifteenth-century Germany (about 60 years before Martin Luther) during Mass, offerings were collected in brass plates, basins and bowls, called alms dishes for this reason. In the past, only the sacristan handled them, passing among the faithful during religious services in the church and were used for that purpose until the late nineteenth century; then replaced by cloth alms bags with a slit opening, most likely for reasons of confidentiality. The artisan workshops of Nuremberg began to build them in large quantities and with increasingly valuable specimens, especially after, from the middle of the fifteenth century, the fashion of hanging various types and workmanship at home became widespread among private individuals throughout Europe. These plates are often presented in a series of standardized executions due to a massive proto-industrial type production that spread especially in areas of Catholic influence (southern Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Flanders). In Italy, the alms dish is also used on Good Friday to rest the nails and crown of thorns during the ceremony of the deposition of Christ from the cross, while in Sardinia it is used in a particular way, it becomes periodically a musical instrument used to accompany the Sardinian dance.     The object is in good condition   With Ars Antiqua it is possible to defer all amounts up to a maximum of € 7,500 at ZERO RATE, for a total of 15 INSTALLMENTS.   Ex. Tot. € 4,500 = Monthly installment € 300 for 15 months.   Ex. Tot. € 3,600 = Monthly installment € 720 for 5 months.   For amounts exceeding € 7,500 or for a longer deferral period (over 15 installments), we can provide a personalized payment.   Contact us directly to get the best quote.   LIVE TV   – SUNDAY 17.00 – 21.00 Dig.terr. 126 + 809 SKY   - THURSDAY 21.00 - 24.00 Dig.terr. 134 + 809 SKY   – Streaming on our website www.arsantiquasrl.com and on our social media Facebook and Youtube   All works proposed by Ars Antiqua are sold with a certificate of authenticity according to law and an accurate in-depth sheet.   You can see the works directly at the Milan showroom gallery, in via Pisacane 55 and 57.   We personally organize transport and delivery of the works, both for Italy and abroad.