The Roman mosaic work in the centre of the chapel was discovered in the courtyard of the archbishop's palace in 1849. Among the most remarkable scenes are: Christ appearing to Mary Magdalene, attributed to Titian; Christ with the angels, by Thaddeo Zuccaro; The Nativity, attributed to Tintoret; Manna in the Desert, attributed to Nicolas Poussin.
ST. REMI'S CHALICE. (Cliché LL.)
The Cathedral Treasure
This is kept in a sacristy built by Viollet-le-Duc, which is reached through a plain door in the southern façade of the transept.
The treasure, which is very rich in precious reliquaries, chalices, and other pieces of goldsmith's work, was saved from the fire of September 19, 1914, by the Curé of the Cathedral and one of his abbés. After being temporarily placed in the house of the Cardinal, it was evacuated in 1915, at the order of the Historical Monuments Department.
Among the best known of these art treasures are the Chalice of St. Remi and St. Ursula's Skiff.
The Chalice of St. Remi, with its gold filagree work, six rows of chasing, and precious stones set in a collier, is a remarkable work of art. It was in this chalice that, by special privilege, the kings of France communicated in wine at the conclusion of their consecration. Tradition has it that the gold of which it is made was that of the Soissons Vase, whereas in reality it is 12th century. Confiscated in 1793 and deposited in the Bibliothèque Nationale, it was restored to the Cathedral by Napoleon III.
