Precious Small Spanish Silver Ciborium. First third of XX Century. Contrasted

Fine Spanish solid silver pyx made in the last quarter of the 19th century. Its small size indicates that it probably belonged to some shrine or private chapel. This piece is in excellent condition, having reached our days complete and almost new. The silvers surface is beautifully engraved with an elegant and discreet decoration, and the inside of the cup is gilded. The pyx also preserves the original cover, which is crowned by a Latin cross. The pyx is a religious piece to house the Hosts for Eucharist. This pyx is a valuable item because of the material it is made of (first quality solid silver) and its ancient age. The silver is engraved with stylized metal motives, with vertical leaves in the node and a geometrical design at the base and the cover. The cover is crowned by a Latin cross, worked in a cruder way but full of an undeniable charm. The delicacy of the metalwork is very remarkable if we consider the small size of this lovely piece. At the base of the pyx there is a hallmark accompanied by the following inscription: MENESES MADRID. The hallmark is square in shape and it consists of a Gothic M surrounded by rays. Plata Meneses was a company founded in Madrid in 1840 by Leoncio Meneses y Alonso. In 1855 he established a factory in Chamberi quarter (Madrid), together with his sons, and later he opened some more in the same city and another places of Spain. Currently Meneses S.L. keeps the family tradition making silverware and silverwork articles. This pyx is a wonderful item with a long history behind, made by a centenary and prestigious silversmith, which will highlight the most ambitious collection of religious antiques. Measurements: 70 mm ancho x 175 mm alto.