Lengyel László (szerk.): Devóció és dekoráció - 18. és 19. századi korolstormunkák Magyarországon - Studia Agriensia 7. (Eger, 1987)
Summary
WAX WORKS One of the major activities of the convents was the making and selling of so-called wax offerings which were made during the time of pilgrimages and processions. In some places apart from offerings made in large quantities they made better quality wax works as well. One of the popular forms of wax works was the Agnus Dei wax medal. These were made from the 8th century onwards, in different size, in oval or circular form resembling coins. These two sided small wax plates were revered like saint relics. Once the convent communities were expert in coloured wax casting. In the 18th century the wax works which were most widespread in different variations illustrated the Infant Jesus. Similarly to the Agnus Dei wax works they also revered the so-called Saint Anne hand, like a relic. This “saint wax” which was a copy of the Saint Anne hand-relic was taken to the Jesuit College in Vienna in 1743. Thus the copies resemble mummified hands in dark brown. This hand which was made from coloured wax in exhaustive detail was placed several times on the altar of Saint Anne or in the centre of polion decorated nun-works. 149
