Antique Spanish Bronze and Silver Chalice

Imposing golden bronze chalice with solid silver cup. It was made in Spain in the 19th century. This chalice is a very decorative piece its surface is fully embellished with Christian images and symbols. The chalices base is shaped like a star and bears a hand-engraved inscription: Recuerdo de Leonor Bayo a José María Sánchez en su ordenación sacerdotal (From Leonor Bayo to José María Sanchez in his priestly ordination). The rest of the base is decorated with four circular medals with embossed images of the four evangelists with their respective symbols: Saint Matthew with an angel, Saint Mark with a lion, Saing Luke with an ox and Saint John with an eagle.Over the base stands the stylized chalice, adorned in the center by an ample node with vegetal decoration. Under this node and on top of it there are other two nodes, smaller in size and decorated with engraved classic fringes. The cups base, also made of bronze, is a lovely piece. Its whole surface is embellished with Eucharist-related symbols: wheat stalks and grape bunches symbolizing the bread and the wine used in the Christian ritual. Though, the most remarkable detail of the cups base is the presence of 3 female medallions that personify the 3 Theological Virtues. They depict Faith (Fides - Woman holding a chalice), Hope (Spes - Woman with an anchor) and Charity (Caritas - Woman with children). They are a common themes found on chalices in the 19th century. The images are separated by the stated decoration of embossed grape bunches and stalks. The gold-plated solid-silver cup fits into the bronze base and makes a fine contrast with the baroque decoration that covers the rest of the chalice. Its unmarked, but tested with acid as solid silver. Measurements: Width: 11 in / 28 cm. Height: 3.22 in / 8.2 cm. Weight: 725 g.