From:Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum
Name/TitleHoman “Sick Call Outfit”; Homan Last Rites Altar
About this objectKnown as a ‘Sick Call Outfit’ or Last Rites Travelling Altar, this cabinet and its contents were used by a travelling Catholic priest or chaplain to perform the holy sacrament or last rites for the sick, injured or dying. The cabinet, along with four other objects, was manufactured by Homan Silver Plate Co., based in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, in 1897. The eleven other objects - made from mixed materials - were added to the kit at a later date, possibly as replacements for lost and/or damaged items.
This altar was included in a series of objects donated to the Museum in memory of Maurice John Harcombe.
Lance Sergeant Maurice John Harcombe N443805 enlisted in the Australian Army on 5 November 1942 in Hornsby, N.S.W. His location on enlistment was Pymble, N.S.W. His next of kin was his father, George Harcombe. Maurice was discharged on 9 January 1947, posting at Discharge 120 Australian General Hospital.
In his lifetime, Maurice was awarded Certificates in Osteopathology, Chiropractic, Osteopathy and Pianoforte.
MakerHoman Silver Plate Co.
Maker RoleCreator
Date Madec.1897
Period18th-21st century
Place MadeCincinnati, Ohio
Place NotesMade by Homan Silver Plate Company, founded by Henry Homan and Asa F. Flagg in 1847: it was first known as Homan & Co. until 1887 when it was renamed Homan Silver Plate Co., then the name was changed again in 1915 until the business closed in 1941.
Medium and MaterialsCabinet: wood (possibly oak)
- exterior: two brass metal gold crosses, with metal for latch and hinges
- interior: purple velvet fabric lining, and two fabric ribbons
Objects:
- a brass or copper candelabra with crucifix, quadruple silver plated
- two brass or copper plates, quadruple silver plated
- a brass or copper holy water stoup/vessel, quadruple silver plated
- a sterling silver holy water sprinkler flask
- two brass sanctuary bells
- two small brass candle holders
- one glass holy water bottle with metal lid
- three fabric cloths, likely cotton
- one metal pyx with wafers
Style and IconographyHand made
Style and IconographyManufactured/Jeweller
Inscription and Marks1. Cabinet - “MANUFACTURED BY THE HOMAN SILVER PLATE CO., CINCINNATI, O, U.S.A.”
2. Candelabra - hallmarks:
- “SICK-FALL OUTFIT”
- “PATENTED NOV ‘96”
- “QUADRUPLE PLATE, HOMAN SILVER PLATE CO.”
- “SPECIAL METAL”, anchor, bucket, hammer and ‘H’
- Maltese cross.
3. Holy water stoup - hallmarks:
-“SICK-FALL OUTFIT”
- “PAT’D APRIL ‘97”
- “QUADRUPLE PLATE, HOMAN SILVER PLATE CO.”
- “SPECIAL METAL”, anchor, bucket, hammer and ‘H’
- Maltese cross.
4. Holy water sprinkler - engraved holy cross on front; “STERLING SILVER” on back.
5. Paten plates - engraving of ‘IHS’, and hallmarks:
- “SICK-FALL OUTFIT”
- “PAT’D APRIL ‘97”
- “QUADRUPLE PLATE, HOMAN SILVER PLATE CO.”
- “SPECIAL METAL” with anchor, bucket, hammer and letter ‘H’
- Maltese cross.
6. Pyx - engraved fish and word ‘ΙΧΘΥC’ (‘ΙΧΘΥΣ‘ in Greek = ‘Fish’)
7. Large Sanctuary Bell - engraved ‘MADE IN ENGLAND’
8. Small Sanctuary Bell - engraved on clapper ‘PEERAGE REG’D MADE IN ENGLAND’
TechniqueCarving
TechniqueCasting, engraving, mounting
TechniqueHand Sewn
TechniqueWoodwork; sawed; joined
TechniqueMetalwork; metal casting; melting; moulding; turning; polishing
Measurements1. Cabinet, 38 (H) x 29 (L) x 16.5cm (W)
2. Candelabra (top to base), 32 (H) x 12.5 (L) x 12.5cm (W)
3. Holy Water Stoup/vessel, 12 (L) x 4.2cm (W)
4. Holy water sprinkler flask, 8.7 (H) x 2.2 (L) x 1.7cm (W)
5. Pyx, 1.8 (H) x 5 (L), 3.6cm (W)
6. Holy water bottle, 7.2 (H) x 6 (L) x 2cm (W)
7. Paten plates, 13.8 (diameter) x 1cm (H)
8. Sanctuary Bells, small - 6.4 (H) x 5.5cm (diameter); large - 12 (H) x 6.5cm (diameter)
9. Brass candle holders, 7 (H) x 2.8cm (diameter)
10. Cloths, small - 35.1 (H) x 24.7cm (L); medium - 43.5 (H) x 35.5 (L); large - 49.5 (H) x 46cm (L)
Subject and Association KeywordsMaurice John Harcombe
Subject and Association KeywordsWorld War ll
Subject and Association DescriptionReligion; spirituality; death care; liturgical objects; religious practice
Named CollectionHarcombe Collection
Object TypeReligious Artefact
Object number2026.1068.10
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
