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About this work
A pax (Latin for peace) was an object employed in the ceremony of the Mass, where it was displayed on an altar table and passed around at the blessing by the priest for the congregation to kiss. In early Christian times churchgoers gave one another a kiss of peace. By the thirteenth century this custom had been replaced by the passing and kissing of the pax. Paxes formed part of the furnishings of all churches and usually bore depictions of scenes associated with the death of Christ.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Italy
Accession Number
4141-D3
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited