Antique Solid Silver Ciborium with Papal Symbols. Henri Chevron. France, Circa 1900

Astonishing antique solid-silver ciborium with embossed motifs and semiprecious stones, turquoises, coming from France and dated circa 1900. The ciborium bears the mark of Henri Chevron, a French goldsmith that worked in Paris in the late 19th century. This piece displays a sumptuous beauty created for its simple design, amazing condition and wonderful decoration of embossed papal symbols and embedded turquoises. All its component parts are original from the time and remain perfectly preserved, making up a fine and antique item. The ciboriums foot shows a lobed shaped and has a high beveled edge with the mark of the goldsmith Henri Chevron and the French silver hallmark. Over the guilloche-style decoration there are three embossed silver motifs with papal symbols: a miter with the keys (Saint Peters attribute; he was considered the first pope), a ladder with a lance and a crosier and a reed with two lashes (symbolizing the Christian people and Jesus Chists martyrdom). All these details are decorated with turquoises stones. Over the foot, the stem bears two nodes: a smaller and simpler one and the main node, adorned also with turquoises. The cup is decorated with fine symbolic motifs too. One of them depicts a hammer-and-pliers group, part of the Arma Christi (weapons and tools related to the Gospels). The hammer was used to nail Jesus Christs hands to the cross, and the pliers to remove the nails. There is also a crown of thorns and three crossed lances, all of them objects related to the Crucifixion. These motifs are also decorated with semiprecious stones, turquoises. Last but not least, the ciboriums cover is adorned with the hammer-and-plies group, a motif with a column and a lash and another one depicting two crossed lashes. These are all symbols of the martyrdom of Jesus Christ previous to the Crucifixion. The cover is surmounted by a gorgeous cross and a small medieval-inspired silver banister. On the banister there is a small fault that you can see in the pictures Its profound symbolism and imposing presence turn this antique silver chalice into a superb item, worthy of inclusion in a great museum of sacred and religious art. Measurements: Bases Width: 6.10 in / 15.5 cm. Cups Width: 4.33 in / 11.81 cm. Height: 12 in / 30 cm. Weight: 525 g.