Magnificent Antique Solid Silver Contrasted Chalice. France, XIX Century

This lovely silversmiths set is composed of a sterling-silver chalice and paten with hallmarks, quite ancient and in their storing case. Both articles were made in France in the 19th century and remain in excellent condition. The chalice boasts a beautiful classic design: it is made of lean and gold-plated silver, decorated with engraved motives. It bears hallmarks in all its parts that testify for the silvers original and quality. The paten is also embellished with an engraved motive and bears its own hallmarks. The chalice stands on an ample base with lobed edge and reminds us of a schematic flower. The edge is made of gold-plated silver and the adjacent surface shows off a lovely decoration composed of tiny embossed semi-spheres on a dotted background. It is separated by the beginning of the stem by a fine fringe with an engraved motive depicting a crown of thorns. At the front it shows a shield containing a Latin cross. Over the base we can see the chalices stem, adorned with delicate volute fringes and with two nodes, the main one and a smaller secondary node below. The cup shows the same decoration as the base, but in this case the fringe does not depict the crown of thorns. Instead, we can see a gorgeous flowery fringe delicately engraved on a dotted background. On the other hand, the paten bears a schematic motive of the Sacred Heart and the acronym of Jesuschrist (IHS) crowned by a cross as its only decoration. The whole set can be stored in the original case that preserves the golden brass handle. The delicate beauty of this chalice and its paten turn them into a magnificent set, as antique as attractive. Measurements: Chalice: Width: 5.5 in / 14 cm. Height: 8.4 in / 21.5 cm. Weight: 404 g. Paten: Diameter: 5.3 in / 13.5 cm. Weight: 80 g.