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ACU Art Collection: First impressions
News 27 AprilThe Australian Catholic University is delighted to announce the publication of First impressions: Indigenous works from the ACU Art Collection.
Image:
Irish Provincial Chalice, dated 1643
An exquisite religious object in the form of ‘A Charles I Irish Silver Recusant’s Communion Cup’ measuring just shy of 20cm in height, is of significant historical interest. The inscription on its base reading: 'This Challice was made for Terlagh O Briene and Ellinorie Brieñe of Comoragh the 26th of 8bre [i.e. October] 1643'. The year 1643 found Ireland in turmoil, as the Irish Confederate Wars between Catholic landowners and English administration under Charles 1 had commenced in earnest. Records are scarce but the researcher John O’Hart recorded in his Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of The Irish Nation, first published in Dublin in 1876, that in the early years of the 17th century, 'Terlagh O Briene . . . of Comoragh' of the chalice's inscription, was Anthony O'Brien's son, Terlagh of Comeragh Castle, co. Waterford.’ 'Ellinorie' (Eleanor) was probably his wife. By 1641 Comeragh Castle was in the hands of Derby, son of Terlagh O'Brien.
Derby O'Brien was eventually taken prisoner and died in captivity in 1656 while four of his five sons, in defence of their Comeragh estate, later succumbed to Cromwell’s hangmen.
While it is not known for certain what happened to Terlagh and Eleanor O'Brien, according to the Rev. Patrick K. Egan, who authored ‘Clonfert Museum and its Collections,' Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, vol. 27, 1956/57, the chalice eventually came into the possession of James Raftery of Woodlawn, co. Galway.
The hexagonal foot is engraved on one side by a Crucifix below 'INRI', and flanked by Instruments of the Passion: a spear, and a sponge on a stick, together with a ladder, a cat-o'-nine-tails, a pair of pliers, a hammer and a flay above a skull and crossbones.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Greg Craven, is particularly proud of this wonderful piece, and Curator, Caroline Field, acknowledges that the chalice, with its beauty and form, and restrained, yet captivating engraving, will become an important part of the University’s art collection. While strongly representative of its era, the item addresses the core of the university’s mission, and will be placed within the Chapel Collection catalogue.
The Australian Catholic University is delighted to announce the publication of First impressions: Indigenous works from the ACU Art Collection.
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An exquisite religious object in the form of ‘A Charles I Irish Silver Recusant’s Communion Cup’ measuring just shy of 20cm in height, is of significant historical interest.
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