Pendant Capsule in the Form of a Tau Cross, with the Trinity and the Virgin and Child, ca. 1485, Made in England, British, Cast and engraved gold, Overall: 1 3/8 x 1 1/8 x 1/8 in. (3.5 x 2.9 x 0.3 cm), Metalwork-Gold, The Tau cross was associated with Saint Anthony and with protection from 'Saint Anthony’s fire,' or ergotism, caused by consumption of spoiled rye. This beautifully engraved capsule, with an interior cavity for an allopathic herbal compound, may have belonged to a member of a confraternity of Antonines, established in England in the mid-fifteenth century and dedicated to the care of those suffering from Saint Anthony’s fire
Keywords:
Pendant Capsule, Form, Tau Cross, Trinity, Virgin, Child, ca, 1485, England, British, Cast, engraved gold, Overall, 1 3/8 x 1 1/8 1/8, 3.5 2.9 0.3 cm, Metalwork-Gold, Tau, cross, associated, Saint Anthony, protection, fire, ergotism, caused, consumption, spoiled rye, beautifully engraved, capsule, interior cavity, allopathic herbal, compound, member, confraternity, Antonines, established, mid-fifteenth century, dedicated, care, suffering
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