Chalice and Paten of silver, France 1900

Fine chalice of solid silver cup, silvered metal base and solid silver paten, in very good condition and with lovely hand-engraved details. Both pieces come from France and are dated circa 1900. The silver parts bear the classic hallmarks that testify for its quality and origin in the cupa nd in the patene. The chalice shows off a sober and simple design; its design is much to the taste of the neo-medieval current that went into fashion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The chalice is composed of a conical stem that emerges from an ample circular base. The base narrows upwards until it becomes a stylized stem. The chalices cup is made of silver and the foot (base and stem) is made of silvery metal. At the base we can see a hand-engraved Crismon or Christogram (a monogram of Christ composed of the Greek letters X and P). Between the stem and the cup there is a round flat node that creates a fine transition between both parts. The cup is wide, gold-plated in the inside and bears no decoration; it has some slight scratches outside, hardly visible. All ciboria bear gold-plated cups, as the Body of Christ (the consecrated Host) can only be in touch with gold as it is the richest and noblest metal. The chalices cup shows off the same style as the rest of the piece, with a lean polished surface and no decoration at all. As for the solid-silver paten that comes with the chalice, it is a simple and discreet piece that maintains the medieval style of the chalice. The only decoration that embellishes the paten is a hand-engraved Crismon, clearly visible and with finely interlaced letters. The paten bears the same hallmarks as the chalice; both pieces make up a very special item, full of elegance and bond to last for years and through generations. This antique chalice and paten set remind us of the first times of the Christian Church for its simple design and discreet attractive. Both will stand out in any collection of religious silversmith. Measurements: Chalice: Bases Width: 5.11 in / 13 cm. Height: 6.7 in / 17 cm. Top Width: 4.33 in / 11 cm. Weight: 500 g. Paten: Diameter: 5.31 in / 13.5 cm.