The Chalice of Doña Urraca

A chalice from the mid-11th century, made from two ancient sardonyx bowls joined by gold bands and a knob, decorated, like the bowl itself, with precious stones, pearls, and filigree. At the rim there is also a smiling face made of glass paste. Beneath the knop is an inscription attesting to the donor of the vessel: In NOMINE D[OMI]NI VRRACA FERDINA[N]DI. The Infanta Doña Urraca was the daughter of Ferdinand I and the sister of Alfonso VI, kings of León and Castile. The chalice is kept in the museum of the Basilica of Saint Isidore in León.