Altar lectern

Considered a divine reward by the conquistadors, the abundance of silver came to symbolize the proverbial wealth of Peru. As a symbol of the political power of the viceroyalty and the splendor and grandeur of the Church, its presence extended to all sectors of colonial society. Every aspect of ordinary life was marked by the presence of worked silver: ecclesiastical and civil interiors, festivals and processions, and even domestic attire and utensils. This lectern, upon which the missal rested on the altar, displays the refinement achieved by Peruvian silversmiths. Its low relief decoration, featuring the figures of angels or sirens, complex foliage, pomegranates and other fruits, reveal the fantastical tone and originality characterizing the Andean baroque.