Spectacular Chalice with Paten, both in Solid Silver Contrasted. France, 1890-1910

Fascinating sterling silver chalice and paten set, engraved by hand with scenes from the Bible and the saints lives and in its original case. This piece comes from France and is quite antique as it was manufactured in the late 19th century or the early 20th century. Both the chalice and the paten are heavy and solid, bearing hallmarks in all their parts. The quality of the noble metal they are made of, their stylized design and the fine engravings that adorn them turn these articles into real works of sacred art, with a timeless beauty and a magnificent presence. The chalices design is clearly medieval-inspired, with a wide and strong base that supports the stem and the cup. The base boasts a lobed shape divided in four similar sections separated by engraved nerves. These nerves are made of gold-plated silver and the sections are flat silver, making a nice contrast. Each section bears an engraved scene, finely performed. One scene depicts the Crucified Christ with Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist; to the right, another section depicts two reclined figures that seem to be looking at the Crucifixion. The following scene depicts the Annunciation with the Angel and the Virgin, while the following section is decorated with an engraving that depicts Saint Joseph with the flowers that usually accompany him: the lilies. The chalices node bears a high-relief engraved inscription that reads: SANGUIS MEUS VERE EST POTUS, a Latin sentence meaning Where my blood is truly contained. This refers to the chalice, the unmistakable container of the Eucharist wine. Over the node, the cup stands on several golden nerves that separate four engraved sections. Each section is embellished with a different engraving, all of them depicting flowery plants and the names of the saints that are usually represented by them: Saint Joseph, Saint Ludovicus, Saint Angela and Saint Romanus. Over these images we can see an enameled inscription in different shades of blue: HIC EST ENIM CALIX SANGUIS MEI, meaning This is the chalice of my Blood. Last but not least, the paten also bears a hallmark and shows a beautiful engraved scene depicting The Last Supper. Intensely beautiful, this chalice and paten set is a unique piece because of its ancient age and huge artistic interest. Measurements: Chalice: Width: 5.5 in/14.2 cm. Height: 9 in/23 cm. Paten: Diameter: 5.7 in/14.7 cm.