Santo Caliz

ritual object · Spain · Mediterranean

The Holy Chalice of Valencia, an agate cup of the 2nd or 1st century BC set in medieval gold mounts with pearls and gems, is venerated in the Cathedral of Valencia as the cup of the Last Supper. The lower bowl is a genuine ancient stone vessel; the goldwork, stem, and handles are medieval, and the cup has been documented at Valencia since 1437, after being kept at Huesca and, by tradition, brought from Jerusalem to Rome and then to Spain. The identification rests on tradition rather than on any contemporary evidence, and scholars dispute the whole chain of custody, so it is more honest to call

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