Portable altars in Malta exhibition enters final week

Portable Altars in Malta, the exhibition being organised by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti in the Grand Council Chamber of the Palace in Valletta, has entered its final week. It will remain open to the public until Sunday 7 May, providing the last opportunity for the public to view the 23 rare and unique altars before they are returned to their various private owners.

The exhibition, which features several items of significant historical and cultural importance, has attracted the attention not only of the general public but also of several distinguished personalities who have visited the exhibition. These have included the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Archbishop as well as the Grand Master of the Knights of St John. Moreover, several international journalists have also covered the exhibition giving Patrimonju and Malta in general coverage overseas.

Maurice de Giorgio, chairman of Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, said: "Over the years, the Maltese public has come to associate Patrimonju with the highest standards in the exhibitions which we organise. I am confident that Portable Altars in Malta, has fully met those expectations and would encourage those who have not yet taken the opportunity, to come and admire some of Malta's most beautiful artistic treasures."

Patrimonju Publishing Limited has also published a catalogue raisonne, to accompany the exhibition. This publication, edited by Mgr John Azzopardi, features extensive details on all 23 altars on display and also several articles, contributed by erudite scholars and historians, on various aspects of religious worship and uses of these portable altars. Mgr Professor Joseph Lupi and Mgr John Azzopardi, in their contributions concerning these subjects in the first two chapters of the catalogue, provide an ideal framework for more specific discussion throughout the rest of the publication.

The phrase 'portable altars' can have two distinct meanings. In the liturgical sense it means a consecrated altar stone, large enough to hold a host and the greater part of the base of a chalice. This altar stone is inserted into the table of an altar. Examples of this kind of portable altar are provided by the Byzantine reliquary as well as a unique 14th century altar from the Cathedral Museum in Mdina. Both altars are discussed extensively, in the publication, by Dr Paul Hetherington and Dr Charlotte Van der Heijden respectively. In a wider sense, a portable altar is one in the form of a bureau or armoire that can be transported from place to place. Considering Malta's small size, it is remarkable that there are a considerable number of these altars in existence. The main reason for this is the fact that high-ranking clergy and canons of the Cathedral Chapter were given the title of Apostolic Protonotary. This gave them the right to a private chapel. Furthermore, noble families would also have their own private chapels, which would need to be transported to their summer residences.

Emmanuel Magro Conti covers the general history of portable altars in Malta, while Joseph Muscat deals with the specific history of a unique altar that was once used aboard a galley of the Knights of the Order of St John, as well as the religious rituals aboard warships of the order.

The exhibition will also feature all the accessories and other furnishings including candlesticks, altar paintings, reliquaries and xoghol tal-ganutell. One of the most fascinating items is the portable gilt leather chest that belonged to Cardinal Fabrizio Sceberras Testaferrata, and the silver items within it. These items are given due attention in the closing chapters of the publication, written by Michael Galea and Chev. Dr Jimmy Farrugia.

The contributions made in Portable Altars in Malta will provide an excellent reference guide for many years to come. As Mgr Azzopardi concludes in his introduction to the publication: "They provide in writing, for the first time ever, considerable information from family sources and other research on the recent history, at least, of these altars."

Portable Altars in Malta is open to the public every day between 10am and 6pm. Patrimonju benefits from the patronage of the Malta Financial Services Centre, its associate, as well as Air Malta, HSBC Bank Malta, Bank of Valletta, Central Cigarette Company, Playmobil and Middle Sea Valletta Life Assurance Company who are their benefactors, and of numerous other patrons.

Further information about Fundazzjoni Patrimonju Malti may be obtained from its website: www.patrimonju.ord.mt