VISUAL THEOLOGY

Eucharistic Dove [French; Made in Limoges, The Metropolitan Museum of Art ■ A peristerium or Eucharistic dove is a metallic vessel, in the shape of a dove (pigeon), which can be hung over an altar in Eastern Christian churches. The dove is a widely-used symbol of the Christian Church. It symbolizes the Holy Spirit, is an attribute of the Blessed Mother, and was later one of the apostles. As a symbol of resurrection, pigeons were placed in the tombs of the martyrs. Also grave lamps in the form of doves were common. Rich with gilding, its overall surface engraved and enameled in a pattern that suggests layers of feathers, this dove would have hung over an altar as an evocation of the Holy Spirit. A tear-shaped door on its back conceals a small cavity once used to hold the bread of the Eucharist. Though many textual sources mention gold and silver doves, suggesting these materials were part of the standard liturgical furnishings for churches and communities that could afford them, few examples survive. On the other hand, doves of Limoges work fashioned from copper and enameled in brilliant colors exist in large numbers ■