Spanish Silver Chalice, XVII Century.

This stunning sterling silver chalice is a very special piece because of its strikingly ancient age. It is a chalice from the 17th century, circa 1650, that was made in Daroca, a city of Aragon (Spain). It is made of sterling silver with hallmarks and comes with other two pieces: a spoon and a paten, also made of silver but not so antique, but from the middle of the XX century. The set is stored in a case made in the 19th century, thas was addapted time ago, and thanks to which the pieces have survived to our days in such good condition. The chalice boasts a simple and elegant design, very typical of the XVII century, and bears some motives and an inscription engraved in the base.If we turn the chalice upside down we will find two hallmarks inside the base. One of them shows the letters DAR, corresponding to the city of Daroca (Aragon, Spain), and the other reproduces the word BOVER, being the silversmiths mark. This hallmark can also be seen in the point where the stem meets the vase. On the other hand, the engraved inscription reads: Para la capilla de mi querido Noticiero Moisés García Lacruz. Just over it we can see four engraved motives depicting the symbols of the four Evangelists: a lion, an angel, an eagle and a bull. Both the stem and the base are decorated with turned moldings. The cup is flat and elegant and the only decoration it boasts is a delicate and simple fringe with a wavy top border, located at the edge of the part that contains the cup. As stated before, the chalice comes with a sterling silver set of paten and spoon, both with hallmarks and with a nice and simple beauty. The three pieces are stored in an ancient case inside covered by red velvet. Its ancient age and sober look turn this chalice into a unique piece, bound to be preserved for many centuries. Measurements: Chalice: Weight: 530 g. Width: 5.3 in/13.5 cm. Height: 9.8 in/25.5 cm. Paten: Weight: 117 g. Diameter: 5.5 in/14 cm.