Spanish
Holy Water Stoup, 17th century - 18th century
Silver, 20 x 16.8 x 7 cm (7 7/8 x 6 5/8 x 2 3/4 in.)
This small, elaborate, silver ornament is both functional and decorative. It has four parts: a tulip shaped silver cup with bucket type handle that serves as a container for holy water, a plain silver chain from which the cup hangs, a silver, winged, cherub holding the chain, and a silver, highly decorated, flat plate that connects the cherub to a wall or other support. The cherub is fully three dimensional and finely crafted. He extends from the wall plate in flight with arms outstretched. He has a protruding belly, chubby cheeks, tousled hair, and fully extended, feathered wings. He is attached by one bare foot to a central, sunburst medallion on the flat, shield shaped, silver plate. The wall plate has additional decorative scroll and open work, ribbon forms.
Tapestry Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.