Well done guys. I think we're just about there.
Apparently this type of item is known as a
chrismatory.
Here's the explanation, as taken from Harold Newman's
'An Illustrated Dictionary of Silverware'.
Chrismatory
A type of sacred vessel in which is kept the chrism (the consecrated oil, mixed with balm, which is blessed in the Western Christian Church by the bishop on Holy Thursday). Some examples are in the form of a cylindrical receptacle with a screw cover surmounted by a cross, especially in Catholic Canada. More often it is a container for three small flasks for sacramental oils. Such containers are of two types: (1) an oblong box with a sloping lid and having a plate fitted with three holes for the flasks, or (2) a trefoil container for the three flasks. Examples were made of silver or silver gilt, some elaborately decorated, especially in Canada. A variant type is fitted with crystal flasks having silver mounts. A Scottish silver example in the Burrell Collection, Glasgow, has three joined receptacles, each marked on its hinged lid with an identifing letter - C, S, and I (for
Olium Catechumenorum, Olium Sacrationis, and
Olium Infirmorum) - for the appropriate oils to be used for, respectively, confirmation, baptism, and anointing the sick. Also called an 'oil stock'.
Thanks to all.
For details of the Burrell Collection see:
http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 43&t=19832" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Regards Trev.