Antique solid silver chalice. 19th century. France.

Lovely antique silver chalice made in France in the late 19th century. The chalice features the inscription "Hic est calix sanguinis mei" ("This is the chalice that contains my blood", more or less). The solid sterling silver and goldsmith's contrasts are punched both on the cup and on the base. Among the typical decorations of the chalice (Jesus, the Virgin Mary, grapes and grapes...) we find the curious shape of an anchor, so I deduce that this chalice belonged to a sea parish. Originally, it must have been partially gilded. The chalice weighs more than half a kilo of silver (524 grams) and measures 22 cms in height.