1104 - Very rare Medieval "opferstock" Alms Post from the 13th–14th century from a Cistercian monastery

Very rare Medieval "opferstock" Alms Post from the 13th–14th century from a Cistercian monastery Made from a single block of solid oak and forged from solid iron. The Cistercian Order was an exempt order, reporting directly to the Pope in Rome. Later, King Andrew II, a vassal of the Holy See, granted certain privileges to this foundation. Bibliographic reference: André Vauchez, “Naissance d’une chrétienté” in Robert Fossier (ed.), Le Moyen Âge, l’éveil de l’Europe (vol. II), Armand Colin, 1982, p. 96. This “opferstock” (German) is probably the oldest surviving example, dating from the 13th to the early 14th century. It stands 140 cm tall with a diameter of 35 cm and is carved from the trunk of a solid oak tree. This alms box, intended to collect alms for the needy, is likely the oldest surviving specimen, dating to the 13th century. Crafted from the trunk of a very hard tree, it measures 140 cm in height and 35 cm in diameter. It originates from the Cistercian Igriș Abbey (founded in 1179 by monks from Pontigny, destroyed in 1241, and later ruined during the Ottoman occupation) and its daughter house at Cârța (dissolved in 1474 by Matthias Corvinus).