Antique Enameled Silver Ciborium, Antique, XIX Century

This antique solid-silver ciborium is quite an attractive piece, a real work of sacred art with a delicate hand-made decoration. The ciborium bears a fine gold-plated finish, worn in some parts because of the trace of time and the use. It was made in France in the 19th century and stands out for its careful making. The enamels that shine at the ciboriums base boast a really impressive elaboration, being almost real portraits of a singular fineness. All the parts of this great silver piece bear hallmarks that testify for its origin and antiquity, among them the mark for the French silver and the silversmiths mark, MARQUET FRERES. The ciborium bears an ample lobed base with a decorative fringe that still preserves the gold-plated finish. It also contains the stated enamels, three medals with images of the members of the Sacred Family. The portraits stand out on a dark blue background and are painted in green and turquoise colors, except for the faces and the hands. These parts show an amazing tonal gradation that provides them with a very special realism. The enamels are complete and their colors look as bright as the first day. The base also bears a schematic engraved decoration that can also be seen in the central node of the ciborium. The cup is embellished with the same engraved motives as the base and the node. They are lineal vegetal motives of medieval inspiration, inscribed under simple arches. The ciboriums kid bears this decoration too and preserves the gold-plated finish in great condition. It is crowned by a fine Latin cross. If we turn the ciborium upside down, under the base we will find an engraved inscription that reads: OFFERT PAR LES ÉLÈVES DE LÉCOLE ST. MICHEL. 29 JUN 1894 (Offered by the Students of St. Michel School. 29 Jun 1894). For its beauty and charisma, this antique ciborium will be the most prized possession of a lover of religious antiques. Measurements: Width: 6.2 in / 16 cm. Height: 11 in /30 cm.