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Four Ancient Chalices with Fascinating History
Statuettes
They have attracted treasure hunters as well as avid researchers. Historical chalices were not just beautiful displays of craftsmanship - they also represented fascinating stories that are still popular today. Read more about ancient chalices and expand your knowledge of history!
Contents
1. Holy Grail
The most famous chalice in European history is still shrouded in myth and legends. According to Christian tradition, Jesus Christ himself drank from it at the Last Supper.
Later, the chalice was said to be used by Joseph of Arimathea to catch Christ's blood at the crucifixion. A few years later, Joseph brought the Holy Grail to France, or perhaps the British Isles, and established a community that guarded the precious chalice.
References to this miraculous chalice can be found as early as the 6th century AD in Welsh poems.
More commonly, however, the Holy Grail is associated with the legends of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. In the High Middle Ages, the tales of King Arthur were hugely popular. The tale of the sacred chalice attracted the interest of many treasure hunters. Even centuries later, the artefact continues to captivate archaeologists and adventurers from all over the world.
DID YOU KNOW... the origin of the Holy Grail is uncertain and has been debated among scholars as well as historians. Some historians admit that if it really existed, it could have been the Grail of “Santo Caliz”, which can be found in the Cathedral of Valencia.
2. The Chalice of Doña Urraca
Every year, crowds flock to the Basilica of Saint Isidore in Leon, Spain. Many of them have only one goal: to see the precious goblet that is housed in the cathedral.
The 11th-century chalice catches the eye at first sight: it is made of gold and decorated with precious stones. It is said to have come to the Basilica thanks to the generosity of Princess Urraca, daughter of the powerful King Ferdinand I.
A few years ago, a couple of historians from León claimed that the goblet is, in fact, the legendary Holy Grail. However, the claim was met with disbelief by some other historians. However, the possibility alone is enough to attract masses of curious visitors.
DID YOU KNOW... the story of the Holy Grail is still popular today? For example, when Laurence Gardner, an internationally renowned genealogist and historical lecturer, wrote the “Bloodline of the Holy Grail”, it quickly became a bestseller. The legend of the Holy Grail also inspired Dan Brown's 2003 novel, The Da Vinci Code.
3. The Antioch Chalice
When news of the discovery of the Antiochian Chalice became public in the early 20th century, many were adamant that the Holy Grail had indeed been found. The city of Antioch, along with Alexandria and Rome, was of major importance to the history of Christianity, which added credibility to the theory.
The appearance of the chalice has also been the subject of lively debates: the silver decoration on the outside of the chalice was supposedly made after Christ's death and was intended to symbolise the importance of the chalice in the Christian world.
However, this theory about the origin of the Holy Grail did not take hold. Recent research suggests that its shape most closely resembles standing oil lamps used around the 6th century AD.
4. Dunvegan Cup
The Dunvegan Cup is a square-shaped wooden ceremonial cup elaborately decorated with silver. The cup is an heirloom of the Macleods of Dunvegan, and is held at the Dunvegan Castle in Scotland.
The Dunvegan Cup was a gift from the O'Neills of Ulster, given to the Macleods in 1595 as a token of thanks for their assistance in fighting against the marauding forces of Queen Elizabeth I of England. Apart from the cup, the Dunvegan Castle also holds other artefacts: the Fairy Flag and Rory Mor’s horn, among other things.
DID YOU KNOW... according to some theories, the Holy Grail is considered to be a metaphor for a woman named Mary Magdalene? In a figurative sense, the phrase “Holy Grail” is also used for a valuable object, or a difficult-to-reach goal. For example, a cure for cancer is sometimes called the “holy grail” of research on the disease.
Expand Your Historical Collection of Artifacts
Do you want to be like Macleods and own a display of mysterious objects to impress anyone who visits your home? Or maybe, you are just looking for something original to drink your wine from?
In either case, check out our handmade chalices and goblets! Travel back in time and drink from the same cups like the famous knights that roamed Europe in the Middle Ages! You will never want to drink wine from ordinary wine glasses again!
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