Artworks Catalogue

Location

Austria, Styria, Graz

Cathedral of St Aegydius (Dom Hl Ägydius)

Innere Stadt

Artwork

The Carvings of two Communion-cup Cabinets in the Vestry of the Cathedral of Graz

Type

Sculptural decoration

Critical History

Documents mentioned that Philipp Jakob Straub created carvings for the Cathedral of Graz between 1745 and 1747.1 In 1747, he received 2 fl 30 kr for the carved decoration of two communion-cup cabinets in the vestry.2 They are wooden cabinets with 65 drawers and inlay work. On top of them, there are respectively two gilded vases of slightly different design. On one they flank a framed relief of Christ on the Cross surrounded by a crowd. On the other they flank an icon, which is framed by delicate decorations.

Construction / Execution

The carvings are made of carved wood and they are gilded.

Components

Sculpture

Author: Philipp Jakob Straub (Wiesensteig 1706 – Graz 1774)

Completed: 1947

Technique(s): wood carving

Material(s): wood

Polychromy

Completed: 1947

Material(s): gold leaf, red bole

Comment

Kohlbach was the first to recognise, that Straub was the most often mentioned sculptor of the Cathedral. He also created the lost “Geroldtsche Leuchter (= candelabra)”, model figures for lost silver statuettes, four sconces, two candelabra, six ornaments for the high altar as well as a new finger of Genoese marble for the sculpture of St Joachim (1746 for 1 fl 42 kr).3 Furthermore, a carved clockcase, which now can be found in the organ’s parapet, was made by the artist in 1745.4 Straub also created the carved rocaille crowning of the prayer stools (1746) in the vestry for 5 fl.5

Images

1. Communion-cup cabinet, vestry, Cathedral of Graz (photo by the Diocesan Museum Graz, 2014)
2. Two carved and gilded vases on the communion-cup cabinet, vestry, Cathedral of Graz (photo by the Diocesan Museum Graz, 2014)