Silver architecture, namely Baroque tabernacles preserved within the current borders of the Republic of Poland

Henryk Brzozowski COr.

doi:10.5277/arc130202

Abstract

The article describes fi fteen tabernacles in the Baroque style, preserved in the area of Poland. Owing to the constructive diversity in the presented group, two separate categories were selected. The fi rst one is comprised of tabernacles having a wooded framework totally covered with a silver plate or a plate created of any other metal. The second category includes tabernacles constructed on the base of a wooded framework, and only in one case with the usage of a stony basement, adjusted to the exposition and decorated with metal plaques and ornaments. The presented tabernacles are created as a form of minor architecture, referring in their shape to sacral buildings, and they exist as two different types. The first type is represented by one-storey and one-axis tabernacles containing only the repositorium, which is a place used in storage of the Eucharistic reserves. The second type is comprised of two-storey constructions, where the bottom one functions as the repositorium, and the top one is the expositorium, functioning as the exposition throne for the Holy Sacrament. Apart from the liturgies of the exposition of the Holy Sacrament, the cross is also presented in this place. The types which are built breadthways are distinguished by the copiously decorated side bays, resembling the facades of the temples or the altar bases. Iconographic programs of tabernacles, taking into consideration their functions, concentrate on the secret of meaning of the Eucharist. In the semantic message tabernacles refl ect the new grave of God, the Grace Throne, the Ark of the Covenant, and also the Tent of Meeting. In times of intensive questioning of the doctrine of Christ’s presence in the consecrated bread, tabernacles played the role of the sign of the Roman Catholic faith in the real, true and substantial presence of Christ in the Eucharistic Sacrament.

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