adorned with vines containing fruits and foliage, and some figures of
children holding spikes of wheat, to signify bread and wine. In the
centre of this, the largest order, is Faith, represented by the figure
of a queen, seated on a throne, holding in her right hand a chalice with
the host, and in the other a standard such as is seen in certain ancient
medals of the emperors Constantine and Theodosius. Beneath her feet is a
world, and behind her, overthrown and bound with chains, a monster with
the face of a beautiful woman and the trunk or body of a dragon, to
represent Heresy, which seems to attract by pleasantness of shape, being
at bottom poison and deceit.
At one side is the figure of a youth with wings, and a bandage over his
eyes, representing Intelligence. His hands are shackled, and he is
kneeling, as one that surrenders himself captive to Faith in all her
mysteries, and particularly in this one.
Corresponding to this figure, on the opposite side, is that of a
beautiful woman, likewise kneeling, crossing her hands before her
breast, and holding a book, to represent Human Wisdom, which
acknowledges the majesty of the Catholic Faith, and is subservient
thereto.
On the right hand of Faith is Saint Peter, seated, holding his keys on
high, and on her left Saint Paul, with naked sword, that is, the
preaching of the word of God. High up, about the spring of the vault, is
the figure of the Holy Spirit, assistant in the church.
Between the six _asientos_ of the base are the four doctors of the
Church, together with Saint Thomas and Pope Urban the Fourth, who
instituted the festival of the Holy Sacrament.
All these figures are half a yard in height; that is, one half the
height of the larger columns belonging to this order.
In the six niches that are between the arches, are the figures of six
Sacraments, in this wise:--
(1) _Baptism_, represented by the figure of a youth holding in one hand
a bunch of lilies, signifying purity and innocence, and in the other a
beautiful vessel, showing the act of washing the soul, that is the
particular virtue of this Sacrament. Over the arch is a scroll
containing the word BAPTISMUS.
(2) _Confirmation_ is a damsel of spirited mien, armed with a helmet. In
one hand she has some vessels of holy oil. Her other hand is raised,
while with the index finger she expresses firm determination to confess
the name of Christ. Inscribed upon her is the word CONFIRMATIO.
(3) _Penitence_ holds in her right hand a wand, denoting spiritual
jurisdiction, like the wand wherewith they smite the excommunicated at
his absolution. In her left hand is a Roman javelin, that was the symbol
of liberty, to signify the free estate of the captive's soul, and how,
through absolution, sin is made a slave; together with the word
P[OE]NITENTIA.
(4) _Extreme Unction_ is represented by an aged woman, holding a vase
whence issueth an olive bough, and in her other hand a candle, as token
that this Sacrament is a succour to those that be in the last agony. The
word inscribed is UNCTIO.
(5) _Order_ is a priest with his vestments, holding an incensory,
together with a chalice and the host, signifying Oration and Sacrifice.
The word inscribed is ORDO.
(6) _Matrimony_ is the figure of a youth, holding in one hand a cross
with two serpents twined about it, in imitation of Mercury's wand. In
his other hand he bears a yoke, and the inscription MATRIMONIUM.
* * * * *
The Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, as being most excellent of all,
occupies a loftier place than all these other Sacraments.
The basement of this order, forming, as it were, a boundary and
bordering to this holy edifice of the Church, has twelve pedestals
beneath the columns, making six and thirty sides, which are adorned with
six and thirty scenes, eighteen whereof are taken from the Old
Testament, and the other eighteen from the New Testament, or relating to
the present state of the Church.
(1) The first scene represents how God formed Eve from one of Adam's
ribs. An inscription at the foot of the pedestal says, _Humani generis
auspicia_.
(2) Next to the preceding is an image of our Saviour with two angels
supporting him by the arms, while from his wounded side issue seven rays
of blood, signifying the Church and Sacraments. The inscription says,
_Felicior propagatio_.
(3) The tree of Life, with Adam and Eve partaking of its fruit, and the
inscription, _Perituræ gaudia vitæ_.
(4) A cross adorned with branches and with blades of wheat, surmounted
by a chalice and the host, and round about it a few prostrate figures,
eating this holy fruit, and the inscription, _Vitæ melioris origo_.
(5) The angel with the flaming sword, driving our fathers from Paradise,
without suffering them to reach the tree of Life. The inscription says,
_Procul, procul esse prophani_.
(6) The parable of the banquet, from which was driven out the man that
had no wedding garment. The inscription says, _Non licet sanctum dare
canibus_.
(7) The stream of water that issued from the rock smitten by the rod of
Moses, and the thirsty people, drinking. The inscription says, _Bibebant
de spirituali petra_.
(8) Beside the preceding, the figure of Christ, from whose side issues a
stream of blood, of which some sheep are drinking. The inscription says,
_Petra autem erat Christus_.
(9) The manna which fell from Heaven. The inscription says,
_Manducaverunt et mortui sunt_.
(10) The miracle of the five loaves, with the inscription, _Qui manducat
vivit in æternum_.
(11) The raven bringing bread and meat to Elijah. The inscription says,
_Non turpat dona minister_.
(12) Next to this, an angel conveying a chalice and the host to the
saints in the desert, with the inscription, _Sacerdos Angelus Domini
est_.
(13) Elisha throwing flour in the pot to sweeten the bitterness of the
colocynth. The inscription says, _Vitæ solamen acerbæ_.
(14) Christ turning the water into wine, with the inscription, _Vertit
tristes in gaudia curas_.
(15) Tobias frightening away the Devil with the smoke from the liver of
a fish. The inscription says, _Fumum fugit atra caterva_.
(16) Devils flying from an altar containing a chalice and the host, with
the inscription, _Fugiunt phantasmata lucem_.
(17) Lot inebriated, sleeping with his daughters. The inscription says,
_De vinea sodomorum vinum eorum_.
(18) A group of virgins prostrating themselves before the Sacrament upon
the altar, with the inscription, _Hoc vinum virgines germinat_.
(19) Abraham harbouring the angels and washing their feet. The
inscription says, _Non licet illotos accedere_.
(20) Christ washing the feet of his disciples before a table. The
inscription says, _Auferte malum cogitationum vestrarum_.
(21) The supper of the paschal lamb, with the inscription, _Antiqua
novis misteria cedunt_.
(22) The supper of Christ, with the inscription, _Melioris fercula
mensæ_.
(23) The throne of God, before which stands the prophet Isaiah, and an
angel whose mouth is smitten by a lighted brand. The inscription says,
_Purgavit filios Levi_.
(24) A priest before an altar, in his robes, administering the communion
to the Christian people. The inscription says, _Probet se ipsum homo_.
(25) Elijah reclining in the shade of the tree, with an angel bringing
him bread and a vessel. The inscription says, _In pace in idipsum_.
(26) A sick man in his bed, with a priest administering the Sacrament to
him. The inscription says, _Dormiam et requiescam_.
(27) Habbakuk borne by the angels to the den of lions, to carry food to
Daniel. The inscription says, _Adjutor in opportunitatibus_.
(28) An angel with a chalice and the host, which he administers to the
souls in Purgatory. The inscription says, _Emissit vinctos de lacu_.
(29) Noah sleeping beneath the vine, holding a vessel, with his sons
gathered about him. The inscription says, _Humanæ ebrietatis ludibria_.
(30) Christ with a chalice in his hand, and angels round him, holding
clusters of grapes, and a cross surrounded with a vine. The inscription
says, _Calix ejus inebrians quant præclarus est_.
(31) A queen adorned profanely, crowned with a snake. She holds a vessel
in her hand, and rides upon a dragon with seven heads, some of which are
drooping, as though they were inebriated. The inscription says,
_Hæreticæ impietatis ebrietas_.
(32) The figure of a virtuous lady wearing a royal crown. She holds a
chalice in her hand, and rides in a car borne by the figures of the four
evangelists. The inscription says, _Ecclesiæ Catholicæ veritas_.
(33) The table with the loaves of propitiation, before the tabernacle,
with Moses and Aaron standing beside it, and the inscription, _Umbram
fugit veritas_.
(34) A custodia, with a chalice and the host, borne by angels. The
inscription says, _Ecce panis angelorum_.
(35) David and his soldiers, who receive bread from the priest's hand.
The inscription says, _Absit mens conscia culpæ_.
(36) A priest, administering the Sacrament to two persons, each of whom
has an angel beside him. The inscription says, _Sancta sanctis_.
* * * * *
And since all Sacraments have virtue and efficacy from the passion of
Christ our Saviour, which passion is perpetually commemorated by this
holiest of Sacraments, I placed upon the summit of the twelve columns
belonging to this order twelve child-angels, naked, bearing the signs
and instruments of the Passion, as voices to announce this sacred
mystery.
On the tympanums of the arches are angels bearing grapes and ears of
wheat, and in the middle of the six sides of the frieze are graven, upon
some ovals, the following images and devices, the inscription
corresponding to them being on the largest scroll of the architrave.
(1) A garland of vine-tendrils and ears of wheat, and in the midst
thereof an open pomegranate, signifying, by the number and cohesion of
its grains, the Church, guarded within the fortress of this holiest of
Sacraments. The inscription says, _Posuit fines tuos pacem_.
(2) A hand among clouds, extended over a nest of young ravens that have
their beaks open and raised, with the inscription _Quanto magis vos_.
This signifies, that the Lord who taketh care to sustain the infidels
and pagans, taketh also especial care to sustain His Church with
abundance of this celestial food.
(3) A fair stalk of wheat, whence issue seven ears of great fatness,
with the inscription, _Sempiterna satietas_; showing that, not as in the
seven years in Egypt, but for ever, shall spiritual abundance abide in
the Church of Christ, owing to this holy table of His body and His
blood.
(4) A stork upon a nest woven of wheat-ears and vine-tendrils, with the
inscription, _Pietas incomparabilis_. Showing the piety and fatherly
love that God affordeth to us in this Sacrament.
(5) A hare smelling at a bough and some ears of wheat, with the
inscription, _Vani sunt sensus hominis_. The hare signifies the senses,
which are deceived by the appearance of the bread and wine, unless they
be fortified by faith.
(6) A hand bearing a wand, the end whereof is turning to a serpent, with
this inscription, _Hic vita, hic mors_; because this Sacrament is the
judgment and condemnation of all that receive it unworthily, but life
for such as receive it with a clean spirit. The device has reference to
the rod of Moses, that gave health to the people of Israel, affording
them a passage through the midst of the sea, and making streams of sweet
water to gush from the rock, but that was ruinous to the Egyptians,
causing among them terrible sickness and destruction.
SECOND ORDER
The second order is in the Corinthian style, the columns and frieze
adorned with foliage in the upper and lower thirds, and the other one
with fluted columns. This order contains the Holy Sacrament in a
circular _viril_ ornamented at its ends. Round it are the four
evangelists with the figures of the lion, bull, eagle, and angel,
adorning the majesty of the Lord that is within the Sacrament, whereof
they gave true testimony, according to these words upon a tablet which
each one holdeth in his hand:--
Saint Matthew, _Hoc est corpus meum_.
Saint Mark, _Hic est sanguis meus_.
Saint John, _Caro mea vere est cibus_.
Saint Luke, _Hic est calix novi testamenti_.
On the outside are placed these figures, in pairs:--Saint Justa and
Saint Rufina, patron saints of Seville; San Isidro and San Leandro,
archbishops of the same city; San Hermenegildo and San Sebastian; San
Servando and San Germano, martyrs; San Laureano, archbishop of Seville,
and San Carpóforo, priest; Saint Clement, pope, and Saint Florence,
martyr.
On the six running pedestals of the columns of this order are six scenes
or figures of ancient sacrifices, symbolic of this holiest sacrifice of
the Eucharist, as showing how this one is the consummation and
perfection of all sacrifices, and that the light thereof dispersed the
shadows of the others. And these be in the following wise:--
(1) The sacrifice of Abel.
(2) That of Noah, on his leaving the ark.
(3) That of Melchisidech.
(4) That of Abraham, when he sought to sacrifice Isaac.
(5) That of the lamb which was found in the thornbush and placed upon
the altar.
(6) Solomon's sacrifice at his dedication of the temple.
* * * * *
On the tops of these columns are twelve figures representing the twelve
gifts and fruits of this most holy Sacrament, as they are told of by
Saint Thomas in his treatise on this mystery:--
(1) _The conquest of the Devil_, represented by a maiden beautified and
adorned with a palm and a cross. The inscription on the pedestal says,
_Fuga dæmonis_.
(2) _Spiritual cheerfulness and delight_, in the form of another maiden,
holding a wand wreathed with boughs and tendrils of the vine, and in her
other hand some ears of wheat. The inscription says, _Hilaritas_.
(3) _Purity of soul_, represented by a heart among flames, suspended
over a crucible. The inscription, _Puritas_.
(4) _Self-knowledge_, represented by a figure of Reason, holding in one
hand a mirror, in which she regards herself, and in the other hand a
leafy bough. The inscription says, _Cognitio sui_.
(5) _Peace, and the appeasing of the wrath of God_, represented by a
figure holding in one hand an olive bough, and in the other a cornucopia
filled with grapes and wheat. The inscription, _Reconciliatio_.
(6) _Inward quiet and control of the affections_, represented by a
figure holding some poppies in one hand, and in the other a lamp, the
lower wick of which is being extinguished. The inscription says, _Animi
qui est_.
(7) _Charity, and profound love for God and for our neighbours_,
represented by a figure holding in one hand a lighted heart that has two
wings, and with the other pouring from a cornucopia. The inscription
says, _Charitas_.
(8) _Increase of true worth_, represented by a figure holding in one
hand a bough of mustard, that is wont to grow and multiply exceedingly
from a tiny grain, and in the other hand a half-moon, receiving greater
brightness as it waxes. The inscription says, _Meritorum multiplicatio_.
(9) _Firmness and constancy in well-doing_, represented by the figure of
a woman holding an anchor in one hand, and in the other a palm. The
inscription says, _Constantia_.
(10) _The hope that guides us to our celestial home_, represented by a
figure holding in one hand a bunch of flowers (denoting the hope of the
fruit that is to come), and in the other hand a star, as one that
guideth to a haven. The inscription, _Deductio in patriam_.
(11) _Resurrection_, represented by the figure of a beautiful woman,
holding in one hand a snake, and in the other an eagle; creatures that
renew themselves by casting off the slough of their old age. The
inscription says, _Resurrectio_.
(12) _Life Eternal_, represented by a figure holding a palm in one hand,
and a crown in the other. The inscription says, _Vita æterna_.
* * * * *
The devices contained in this order, and in the middle of the frieze,
are as follows:--
(1) A bunch of grapes upon a wand, surrounded with ears of wheat. The
inscription says, _C[oe]lestis patriæ specimen_. This signifies that, as
the great bunch of grapes that was borne by Joshua and Caleb on their
shoulders was a token of the fertile land of promise, so the greatness
and the sweetness of this admirable Sacrament, which is afforded to us
in the guise of bread and wine, is the living sign and earnest of the
abundance reigning in the kingdom of the blessed.
(2) A hand extending the index-finger, pointing to a chalice and the
host, with the inscription, _Digitus Dei hic est_. This means that the
miracle of this holiest of Sacraments is the work of the eternal wisdom,
that cannot be attained by any wisdom of us humans.
(3) A rainbow, and above it a chalice with the host, and the
inscription, _Signum f[oe]deris sempiterni_. Signifying, that as in the
olden time God vouchsafed the rainbow to Noah in sign of friendship and
alliance, so does He now vouchsafe His own flesh and blood as a true and
effective token of His lasting association with mankind.
(4) Two rays, crossed, and in their midst an olive bough, with the
inscription, _Recordabor f[oe]deris mei vobiscum_. These are the words
that were spoken by God to Noah, when He made the said alliance with
him, giving to understand the clemency wherewith God treateth mankind in
the lesson of this divinest Sacrament, forgetting their errors, and
establishing perpetual peace and amity with them.
(5) The pelican feeding her young with the life-blood issuing from her
breast. The inscription says, _Majorem charitatem nemo habet_.
(6) A dead lion, from whose mouth issueth a swarm of bees, with the
inscription, _De forti dulcedo_. Giving to understand, that as from the
mouth of so brave a creature there issued a substance so sweet as honey,
so did the God of vengeance, the brave Lion of the tribe of Judah,
concert such love and peace with man, that He offered His very body for
man's food.
THIRD ORDER
The rest of the third order, as far as the summit of the _custodia_,
represents the Church triumphant: wherefore was placed in the midst of
this order (which is in the composite style) the history of the Lamb
that is upon the throne, and round about it the four beasts that are
full of eyes, as the Apocalypse relateth.
Upon the six continuous pedestals of the columns of this order are
graved the following six scenes:--
(1) The saints who wash their stoles in the blood that issues from the
Lamb, as is told in the Apocalypse.
(2) God the Father, with a sickle in His hand, and angels gathering
grapes in the vat, and corn in the granary, after winnowing out the
chaff; signifying the reward accorded unto men in sowing, and in the
harvest of the vine.
(3) The saints in joyful procession, each with his sheaf of wheat.
(4) The virgins, crowned with vine-tendrils and ears of wheat, that
follow the Lamb.
(5) The five prudent virgins, that with their lighted lamps go in to the
feast of the Bridegroom.
(6) The banquet of the blessed.
* * * * *
Between the arches of this order are the six hieroglyphs following, with
their inscriptions above, upon tablets.
(1) A burning ph[oe]nix, with the inscription, _Instauratio generis
humani_.
(2) Two cornucopias crossed, with a cross in their midst. The
cornucopias are full of vine-tendrils and ears of wheat. The inscription
says, _Felicitas humani generis_.
(3) A kingfisher brooding over her young in a nest of vine-tendrils and
blades of wheat, with the inscription, _Tranquillitas immutabilis_. This
signifies the calm state of the blessed, whereof a token is the nest of
the kingfisher, which bird, when it crosses the water, causes all storms
to cease.
(4) A car with flames, rising to heaven, with the inscription, _Sic itur
ad astra_. Signifying that this divinest Sacrament is the harbinger of
those that travel heavenward, in that Elijah was so swept away, after
God had sent him bread by the angel and the raven.
(5) Two dolphins, whose tails are crossed, and in the middle a chalice
and the host, with the inscription, _Delitiæ generis humani_. By this
device is signified the love and the delight bestowed by God on men by
means of this Sacrament.
(6) An altar adorned with festoons of vine-tendrils and blades of wheat,
with flames upon it, and bearing the inscription, _Æternum sacrificium_.
FOURTH ORDER
In this order is represented the Holy Trinity upon a rainbow, surrounded
by many rays of splendour, and in the fifth order is a bell, surmounted
by a simple cross.
Thus are all the parts of the _custodia_ adorned with the foregoing
beautiful decoration, having regard to their proportions and their
symmetry, according to the rules of good architecture, and to the
movements and position of the statuary, designed after nature, as was
prescribed by the inventor of histories. "_Et in his omnibus sensum
matris Ecclesiæ sequimur, cujus etiam juditium reveremur._"
Such is the description, written by Arfe himself, of this wonderful
masterpiece of silver-work. Unfortunately, since his time the _custodia_
has been much meddled with by profane hands, and has been subjected to
various impertinent "restorations" and "improvements." Thus, the
original statuette of Faith, seated on her throne, has been replaced by
another of the Virgin, and the twelve child-angels, holding the
instruments of the passion, by the same number of figures of a larger
size and far inferior workmanship. Further, some simple pyramids which
crowned the fourth order were foolishly replaced by badly executed
statuettes of children, and the Egyptian obelisk, resting on four small
spheres, which surmounted the whole _custodia_, by an unwieldy statue
representing the Catholic Faith.
* * * * *
DESCRIPTION OF THE _CUSTODIA_ OF CORDOVA CATHEDRAL
(From _Córdoba_, by PEDRO DE MADRAZO)
As I have stated in Vol. I., p. 98, the author of this _custodia_ was
Enrique de Arfe, Juan de Arfe's grandfather. "The base, supported on
small wheels placed in the interior, is in the form of a regular
dodecagon, each side of which measures a foot. On the twelve-sided plate
which forms the base and which has well executed heads of seraphs at
each corner, is an order consisting of three tiers. The first, which has
projecting and receding angles, leaves, about six sides of the
dodecagon, a free space for the handles by which the _custodia_ is
raised. The first tier forms a kind of socle with six buttresses, on the
surface of which are represented allegorical scenes, alternated in rows
with graceful designs in relief, grotesque and pastoral dances, and
scenes from Bible history relative to the carriage of the Tabernacle.
This tier is surmounted by a gilded balustrade of elegant design. The
bas-reliefs are wrought alternately in gold and silver.