Host Mould: Scenes from the Life of Christ

Host Mould
France, second half of the
13th century
Iron
Diam. 0.26 m
Acq. 1851; Cl. 2067

Metal moulds have been in use to produce the hosts needed for the Eucharist since the 9th century at the earliest. They were made up of two plates fitted to plier-like articulated stems. More common were rectangular plates which could cook many hosts at a time, but circular plates for making one large host have also been found. The most beautiful moulds were engraved with a lightly embossed design. On one surface of this mould, Christ, amidst his twelve apostles, reveals his wounds; on the other, Christ, delivering a benediction, is framed by scenes of his life.