Italy 1780-1800, Three Solid Silver Altar Cards

Rare set of three frames called "altar canons" or altaar cards in solid silver, dating from the end of the eighteenth century or the beginning of the nineteenth century. No hallmark appears on the frames but they are in solid silver (we have checked and guarantee it). According to their style, their decorations and the manufacturing technique, it is probably an Italian work. The altar canons (tabellæ secretarum in Latin): this is the name given in the Tridentine form of the Roman rite to the three collections of texts (cartons, tables or coasters) placed vertically (behind) on the altar. Their use is provided for by the rubrics of the missal1. The middle canon, by far the largest, contains the texts of the Gloria, the Credo, the offertory, the consecration, the Placeat Sancta Trinitas, plus possibly a few short phrases such as the words said in a low voice before the Gospel: Munda Cor meum... and Jube, Domine, benedicere. Dominus sit in corde meo.... The placement of these prayers, dictated by aesthetic considerations (with for example the words of the Consecration in the central place) is sometimes a little confusing, and can vary from one canon to another. The choice of these texts would seem to be fixed more by custom than by precise rules, the aim being above all the practical utility of the celebrant, who, in any case, can find these texts in the missal; the advantage of the canons is that he does not have to turn the pages of the missal. The canon on the left when looking at the altar ("Gospel side") contains the text of the "Last Gospel" or Prologue of Saint John, read at the end of the Mass: Initium Sancti Evangelii... In principio erat Verbum... ...plenum gratiae et veritatis. - Deo gratias. The canon on the right when looking at the altar contains two texts: the one that the priest says when blessing the water, a drop of which is to be poured into the chalice at the offertory: Deus + qui humanae substantiae..., and the text of the Psalm Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas.... Often, these canons are extremely decorated, and sometimes even hand-written. The use of the central canon sometimes remains for the "Mass of Paul VI" (or "ordinary form of the Roman rite") celebrated in Latin.