Antique Silver Chalice, XIX Century

Stunning antique gold-plated solid-silver chalice with engraved decoration all over its surface. The chalice comes from France and is dated in the early 19th century (circa 1820). It comes with a gold-plated silver paten from the late 19th century. Though the chalice is almost two hundred years old, it remains in a surprisingly good condition. The gold-plated surface looks shiny and even, and together with the fine engraved decoration, this detail turns this piece into a first-class item. Both the chalice and the paten bear hallmarks that testify for the silvers origin and quality. The chalices base is wide and ample, and bears a lovely engraved decoration with three scenes of the New Testament: the Agony in the Garden, the way to the Cavalry and the Crucifixion. The scenes are separated by delicate embossed motives depicting reeds, bunches of grapes in the grapevine and wheat stalks. These motives are common in the Catholic iconography and they symbolize the Christians flexibility and strength, the wine and the bread of the Eucharist, respectively. The symbols are repeated in the chalices cup, which is in turn decorated with three medals depicting the members of the Sacred Family: Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. The stem that connects the ample base with the fine cup is long and slim, decorated with several nodes. The central node is the biggest one and bears a delicate hand-engraved with the same symbols as the base and the nodes. The other two nodes, located over and under the main one, bear engraved diamonds. On the other hand, the paten is embellished with the Alpha and Omega (? y ?) Greek letters. This is a way of designing God that appears in the Apocalypse, meaning that God is the beginning and the end of all: before Him there was nothing and nothing there will be after Him. The paten also bears an engraved Chrismon, a monogram composed of the Greek letters X (chi) and P (rho), the two first letters of the Greek name of Christ. This gorgeous and antique silver chalice is worthy of inclusion in any churchs sacred treasure, for its quality and magnificent decoration. Measurements: Chalice: Width: 6.4 in / 16.5 cm. Height: 13.7 in / 35 cm. Paten: 5.7 in / 14.5 cm Diameter.