Precious Antique Silver Chalice with Paten and Case. France, XIX Century

Great antique solid-silver chalice with silvery-metal base and stem, made in France in the 19th century. The chalice comes with its original solid-silver paten, with hallmarks at the edge. Both pieces make up a delicious religious silver set and come in their original storing case. The chalice stands out for the fine contrast created by the combination between the silvery-metal foot and the lovely gold-plated silver cup. The gold-plated finish is in fine condition and matches the patens finish. The chalices base, circular in shape, is adorned with Christian-iconography-related elements. The images, usual in this type of decoration, are surrounded by decorative hand-engraved fringes and volutes. In this chalice we can see a landscape with the Cross and the city of Jerusalem, a group of wheat stalks and some reeds. Between these motifs we can see some medals with bunches of grapes, symbolizing the Eucharistic wine. On the other hand, the reeds symbolize the Christian faithful and the stalks are a symbol of the bread. The main node is decorated with reeds, bunches of grapes and wheat stalks too. Just over it, the cups base shows off these same motifs accompanied by engraved leaves. The metal shows some gaps through which we can see the lovely gold-plated finish of the silver cup. The cup itself bears the serial number 029 engraved in the metal. This is the same number that we can see in the paten, a piece with a fine hand-engraved decoration depicting the acronym HIS (standing for Jesus Christ) framed by a crown of thorns and with the Sacred Heart below. The two pieces can be stored in the original case; although it does show clear signs of the trace of time and wear, it can still be used to protect and carry them. Its original design, the fine paten that comes with it and its beautiful decoration turn this chalice into a magnificent piece. It is the perfect gift for a priest-to-be or a collector. Measurements: Bases Width: 5.70 in / 14.5 cm. Height: 11.22 in / 28.5 cm. Cups Width: 3.54 in / 9 cm. Weight: 647 g. Paten: Diameter: 5.51 in / 14 cm. Weight: 88 g.