Antique Gold-Plated Solid-Silver Ciborium. France, 19th Century

Awesome antique gilt solid-silver ciborium made in France in the 19th century and with a gorgeous decoration covering all its surface. This item is entirely made of high-quality silver, a feature confirmed by the hallmarks that we can appreciate at the foot, cup and lid. The gold-plated finish is wonderfully preserved. The complex decoration that cove this item is a remarkable feature; it is composed of different religious images, liturgical symbols and classic-style embossed motifs. The foot has a curved edge and contains four images depicting essential characters of the New Testaments: the Holy Family with Jesus, Saint Joseph and Virgin Mary and a portrait of a saint man, probably Peter. Between the images we can see the classic Eucharistic symbols (bunches of grapes and wheat stalks) and a group of reeds depicting the People of God. Over the foot, the stem has a big main node with the same engraved symbols; under this node there is a secondary one, smaller in size. On the other hand, the cup shows off a complex decoration that reveals the hand of an accomplished artist. In this part we can see the symbols stated before (grapes, stalks and reeds) with cherubs heads, by themselves or in couples. The images are intertwined and overlapped creating a baroque and dynamic effect which provides the decoration with a remarkable beauty. Last but not least, the lid is adorned with the same Eucharistic symbols and is crowned by a fine cross composed of volutes which acts as a handle. The ciboriums lid, cup and foot bear the hallmark that identify antique French silver and the silversmiths mark too. This awesome antique gold-plated solid-silver ciborium deserves a honor place in a museum of sacred art or a good collection of religious silverwork. Dimensions: Foots Width: 5.8 in / 14.5 cm. Cups Width: 4.4 in / 11 cm. Height: 12.4 in / 31 cm. Weight: 618 g.