Design for a Chalice (recto)
1504
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1504
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This design shows a fancy metal cup with carved angels and birds on its base. The angels are called seraphim, the highest rank. Tiny naked kids sit below women and pelicans. The pelican is a symbol. It pecks its chest to feed its young, standing for charity. The whole cup is meant for church use, not just looks. It was made by an assistant to a big-name designer. See more designs by Luzio Romano (Italian, active 1528–75).
