Context

The Malcove pyx was produced in 13th century France, an increasingly evangelical society (Encyclopedia Britannica, France 900-1300). It was used in the Eucharist, one of the core rites of Christianity, both medieval and modern. The Eucharist is a sacrament with two main elements- bread and wine, thought by Christians to represent the body and the blood of Christ. In the Catholic tradition, Christ is considered truly and substantially present in the consecrated bread and wine, which are transubstantiated into the actual body and blood of Christ (Encyclopedia Britannica, Eucharist). Accordingly, it is important not to lose any particles of the Eucharist, because they are part of Christ. This belief is responsible for the secure, lidded form of the pyx, designed to prevent any loss of particles from the bread, or host, it contains. Sometimes the pyx is used to carry the host to those parishioners unable to make it to Mass, making its durability and secure lid crucial.