Altar Item Number: 2956/193 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Registo type altar with an image of St. Anthony, with narrow red paper band along the sides, surrounded by white and pink plastic flowers and small aluminium flowers. Metallic gold fabric trim decoration along the box edges. Small loop on top for hanging. Glass front; multicoloured paper over back.

History Of Use

Registos, elaborately decorated images of saints, are made throughout Portugal and used as household shrines and decorations. They attained their greatest popularity in the 18th century, after the increased production and circulation of engraved images throughout Europe. Registos were sometimes given by the Church and lay brotherhoods to congregations and pilgrims on special saints days as mementos in appreciation of their offerings. Many were later used as bookmarks for Bibles and prayer books or, in the case of small prints, were attached to a pilgrim’s hat or clothes and valued as religious souvenirs. More elaborate images, framed and decorated with rare and luxurious materials made by nuns, were purchased and displayed in richer households.

Item History

What

Name
Altar
Identification Number
2956/193
Type of Item
altar
Material
glass, plastic, paper, aluminium metal, fibre and adhesive
Overall
height 37.0 cm, width 27.0 cm, depth 4.0 cm

Who

Culture
Portuguese
Field Collector
Anthony A. Shelton
Previous Owner
Anthony A. Shelton
Received from
Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source) and Anthony A. Shelton (Seller)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
Collected in
Portugal

When

Creation Date
during 2010
Collection Date
between 2011 and 2012
Ownership Date
before September 17, 2012
Acquisition Date
on September 17, 2012

Other

Item Classes
works on paper
Condition
fair
Accession Number
2956/0193