Extraordinary French Solid Silver Ciborium. XIX Century.

Extraordinary French Solid Silver Ciborium. Made in France in the 19th century. Magnificent religious piece of undulating forms and beautiful chiseled vegetal decoration, alternating flowers with original pine cones. It has a silhouetted polylobed base with pearl decoration and six flowers with vegetal border and small stars of beautiful workmanship in each lobe. The foot, with marked engraved geometric forms, has in its central part a decorative knot with the same floral forms of the base. By means of an original decoration based on leaves, a structure of intertwined pine cones with vegetal forms is developed in the upper part, which continues on the lid. The top of the piece, in the form of a Latin cross, is decorated on the arms with the characteristic pineapples of the piece, which make it very original, while it clearly connects with religious symbolism. The piece appears contrasted in all its parts. It presents the contrasts of solid sterling silver with the French stamp (Minerva), as well as the contrasts of goldsmith. The solid pieces are made by casting and are of a higher quality, as this is an expensive method of manufacture. The origin of religious silver dates back to the years when, thanks to Constantine the Great, Christianity became the official state religion. From that moment on, this type of objects would become one of the main incomes of silver craftsmen. This type of religious pieces, like the rest of the decorative arts, are in accordance with the style of the moment. This one, in particular, is decorated with pineapples among beautifully made vegetal forms that run all around. The pine cone is an image considered by many cultures and religions, including Christianity, as a symbol of immortality, life and fertility. It is the symbol of the fecundity of nature and appears decorating the top of the Tree of Life. The great abundance of seeds under the same bark of the pineapple, was a symbol of the Christians for a representation of the Church that welcomes a large number of peoples. For this reason, it symbolizes the authority of a sovereign who dominates multitudes and is represented in a great number of pieces belonging to the Church. This symbol is used not only in religious objects, but also in important religious architecture such as the Cathedral of Jaca, in Moissac and even in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Beautiful and decorative piece for people who know how to admire its great value. Measures: 24 x 12 cm. Weight: 352 gr.