Gothic monstrance

Western (?) Bohemia, second half of 15th century; additions in 1803

Hammered, engraved, enchased and silver-plated cast brass. Glass and glass stones. Gewidmet zur Ehre Gottes durch Maria Elisabetha Gebohrne von Hafenbrädl auf defernick & c an 1803 engraved on the sexfoil foot.

H: 44.3 cm

UMP 17831

Acquired in 1956.

A Late Gothic tower monstrance with arcade wings in a form typical of the period, with later additions and 1803 dedication by Maria Elisabeth Freiin von Hafenbrädl (1788–1825), a businesswoman and the owner of the glassworks on the Deffernik (Debrník) estate in the Bohemian Forest.

Maria von Hafenbrädl successfully continued her father’s and grandfather’s glass business and was instrumental in the development of Deffernik, building a Rococo chateau for herself on the estate in 1779 (now ruins) and, in 1790, the nearby Our Lady Help of Christians chapel, which was also used by employees of the glassworks. In 1806 she founded another chapel on the highest peak in the range, Großer Arber, thus launching pilgrimages to the mountain.

The reasons behind the dedication of the monstrance are unclear; it is possible that the donation was related to the Our Lady Help of Christians chapel or Our Lady of Perpetual Help with Star Church in Železná Ruda, where most members of the Hafenbrädl family are buried.

jme