1380-1390
Box with the Lamb of God
Artist/maker unknown
This box was intended to hold an Agnus Dei, a wax medal made from the remains of the Easter candle used at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This large candle would be lit by the pope and stay lit throughout the Easter season. The wax was mixed with holy oil, which was blessed by the pope, and the medals were distributed by the papacy as gifts. This container bears the name of Pope Urban VI (pope from 1378–89) and shows the Lamb of God (a symbol depicting Christ as a lamb, also called the Agnus Dei) on each side.
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