Ukrainian goldsmithing of the 17th-18th centuries (church utensils)

Christianity was spreading on the territory of modern Ukraine since the first centuries of the new era (in the Crimea). At the end of the X century, it became the state religion in the ancient Rus state. From then until the beginning of the XX century, the Church guided the Christian from birth to death, formed his rhythm of life, guided him with moral attitudes, and, to some extent, influenced the development of art, schooling, etc.

In the XVII and XVIII centuries, Ukrainian lands were famous for their generous benefactors. The reputation of a great donor in the 18th century belonged to Zaporizhia Sich. Clergy from various Orthodox lands, who collected donations for churches, were constantly stationed in it and in the sprawling liberties of the Zaporizhia Host Nyzove.

The Zaporozhians themselves also cared about the salvation of souls and made valuable contributions to churches. One example is the tabernacle (otherwise known as a tomb, ciborium), which Roman Shekera and his son Vasyl Kuksa, the Cossacks of the Konelivsk kuren, made at their own expense in 1762.

Tabernacles were placed on thrones in altars. They keep spare communion (Holy Gifts), with which communion is carried out in cases when the usual liturgy is not served (for example, for the communion of the sick at home). Because of the relationship to the sacred, the ciboriums were attempted to be made of silver with gilding. They were often made in the form of a temple. 

However, not all churches had the opportunity to order a precious silver tabernacle, so the church authorities obliged the parish clergy to use at least tin (not wooden) tombs and to take care of the regular replacement of the sacrament.

The XVII-XVIII centuries’ tabernacles and chalices made in Ukraine are an excellent example of baroque goldsmithing. One of the important centers of this craft was Kyiv. Ivan Ravych (1677–1762) gained fame among Kyiv masters. Ravych is considered the author of dozens of works (tableware, liturgical utensils).

Among them is the chalice, which was given in 1722 by unknown donors to the Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin in the Ostapivka village of the Varva’ Hundred of the Pryluky regiment (now - Pryluky district, Chernihiv region).