18TH CENTURY

The following lots are known as Chrism flasks, all typically carved with intricate decorative detail and Christian iconography, used specifically to contain consecrated holy oil for certain sacraments in the Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican church practice. Edward Pinto and Owen Evans-Thomas both illustrate a number of Italian and Greek examples. In particular this example is similar to an example described as Italian and dated '1725' by Owen Evans-Thomas, see Domestic Utensils of Wood, London, 1992, pl. 60, fig. D.