A large benedictet from the second half of the 18th century.
In silver.
With punches.
Measurements: 51 x 32 cm.
An important Baroque blessing box made of embossed and contrasted silver. The whole surface is entirely decorated with Baroque-inspired vegetal elements, such as garlands, flowers, scrolls and avenerate forms. The vegetal decoration is accompanied by figurative decoration, as in the central scene we see Saint Joseph carrying the Child in his arms. In addition, there is also an eagle holding a crucifix with a holy-water basin. The piece is crowned by a Greek cross with vegetal decoration.
The benditeras are utensils that contain a receptacle of holy water and are used to make the sign of the cross or to make the sign of the cross. They are a domestic version of the holy-water fonts found at the entrance to churches, evoking the water fonts traditionally found around or inside religious and magical places. In popular domestic use, they are usually placed by the front door or in bedrooms and are used by their owners to make themselves holy when they go to bed or get up. They can be defined as small plates or slabs, usually oval, on which various motifs have been carved or moulded, and which are decorated overall. Their lower front part includes a shallow receptacle for holding holy water.