Antique Solid-Silver Chalice with Turquoises and Enamels. France, 19th Century

Awesome antique solid-silver chalice with turquoises and enamels, made in France in the 19th century and boasting a superb beauty. The chalice comes with an antique paten and remains in striking condition. It has been entirely restored so today it is ready to be used or to be exhibited as part of a collection. The foot and the stem are made of lean silver, while the cup and the paten are made of gold-plated silver. The cups base is made with gorgeous silver openwork that can also be seen at the chalices foot, making up a balanced piece with a remarkable decorative power. The chalices foot is conical in shape and boasts a detailed and attractive decoration. The silver surface is covered by the silver openwork stated before; this silver net surrounds three circular colorful enamels that depict images of Virgin Mary, Jesus and Saint Joseph. The enamels are finely preserved and stand out for their great making: the faces look relaxed, the colors are delicate and the proportions are correct. Around them we can see some turquoises stones embedded in the openwork. Under the portrait of Jesus there is also a gold-plated silver cross. The stem is adorned with a medieval-style node, circular in shape and decorated with turquoises. Just over the node we can see the silver openwork base that holds the cup, also embellished with original turquoises. Marked in different parts of the chalice we can see the hallmarks corresponding to antique French silver pieces and to the silversmith, Adrien Brigaud. The gold-plated silver paten is decorated with a Latin cross and the Greek letters alpha and omega (a symbol of Jesus Christ as the beginning and the end of all the thing). This piece also bears the hallmarks of French silver and the silversmith, the same that we saw at the chalice. This antique solid-silver chalice with turquoises and enamels is an outstanding piece with a magnificent beauty and a powerful presence. Dimensions: Chalice: Foots Width: 4.8 in / 12 cm. Cups Width: 3.8 in / 9.5 cm. Height: 8.68 in / 21.7 cm. Weigth: 450 g. Paten: Diameter: 5.2 in / 13 cm. Weigth: 74 g. Total Weigth: 524 g.