Obj. ID: 4493
Sacred and Ritual Objects  Spice container

The spice container consists of a base, a shaft, a receptacle,a lid and apex. The square receptacle has two coins attached to each side of it. There is a depiction of the Virgin Mary in the centre of each coin. She is wearing a long flowing robe, has a halo around her head and is holding the baby Jesus in her arms. The inscription around the depiction reads: "S. Maria Dei Patrona HVNG 1847". The square lid fits into the body and has four additional coins on it and a fifth coin situated in the centre above them all. A compressed ball surmounts the coin and is part of the apex. The apex consists of a flag attached to a pole with a compressed ball at top and bottom. The receptacle is supported by a shaft composed of four wires which are connected by a compressed ball in the centre. Each wire connects to a corner of the base on bottom and the receptacle on top. The square frame like base is supported by a globular ball at each corner.