Box (for host)

2009CB5776_jpg_l. Boxes like this are known to have been kept in cathedral treasuries. They were probably used as containers for the host (the consecrated bread) and the material reflects their important function. The unique narrative images at the box have challenged an acceptable interpretation of the subject matter. The narrative appears to represent a relatively obscure story. The narrative may most plausibly be interpreted as showing the use of a grand chalice by an abbot, the discovery of its theft, and the confession and prostration of the guilty monk before the abbot, with the hidden chalice finally revealed behind the latter. All these images are © V&A Images/Victoria and Albert Museum, London. These free low-resolution images are covered also under the museum's Terms and Conditions (http://collections.vam.ac.uk/information/information_termsandconditions). The full image collection is available at: http://www.vam.ac.uk and http://collections.vam.ac.uk/ where you can also order high resolution copies.