Spectacular Antique Solid Silver Gilded Ciborium. France XIX Century

Amazing antique gold-plated solid-silver ciborium made in France in the 19th century. Though it is more than one hundred years old, the ciborium remains in amazing condition and shows off an uncommon beauty. The gold-plated finish that embellishes the silver surface stands out for its bright color, making a great combination with the wonderful engraved and embossed decoration that covers the whole piece. The ciborium bears hallmarks in all its parts that indicate its origin and author. The hallmarks (the French silver mark and the silversmiths mark) are deeply marked in the silver and remain clearly visible. This ciboriums imposing presence is mainly due to its great decoration which covers every centimeter of its surface. The base is decorated with embossed volutes and diamond shapes, over which we can see four medals. Each medal contains the portrait of a saint: they are the Four Evangelists, identified by their symbols (the eagle, the angel, the lion and the bull). The ciboriums stem is adorned by two remarkable nodes. The bottom one is decorated with engraved leaves, while the main node bears two engraved motifs: bunches of grapes and wheat stalks. They are both performed with amazing attention to detail. The cup that crowns this piece also boasts a very special decoration. In this case, the engraved motifs depict cherubs heads, by pairs or alone. The angels are surrounded by curved volutes and shapes that provide the decoration with a baroque air. The lid covering the cup is decorated with its own motifs: we can see the Sacred Heart, the Eye of Providence (symbol of God), the wheat stalks (for the bread contained by the ciborium during the eucharist) and the reed (symbolizing the Christian faithful). In the center it mounts an airy Latin cross that acts as a handle. Awesome and gorgeous, this antique gold-plated silver ciborium with hand-engraved decoration will shine in any collection of sacred art or religious silver craft. Measurements: Bases Width: 5.9 in / 15 cm. Height: 11.61 in / 29.5 cm. Cups Width: 4.52 in / 11.5 cm.