Striking Antique Spanish Silver Chalice. Carreras. Barcelona, Spain, Circa 1840

Striking Spanish silver paten made by Francesc Carreras in Barcelona, Spain, circa 1840. The chalice is in perfect condition and bears hallmarks at the foot and the cup. Among them we can see the mark BAR (Barcelona) and other mark with the name FCH. CARRERAS, corresponding to Francesc dAssís Carreras i Duran (Barcelona, 1797-1862), one of the best goldsmiths of the city who worked for queen Isabel II of Spain. The chalice is a great example of his high-quality work: its whole surface is covered by wonderfully made engravings. At the circular foot we can see the symbols of the Passion in three medallions, while the cup has other three images depicting the Theological Virtues (Faith, Hope and Charity). Between the symbols at the foot and the images of the cup there are engraved wheat stalks and vines with bunches of grapes, symbols of the Bread and the Wine of the Eucharist. At the chalices foot there is a hand-engraved inscription with the abbreviated name of its former owner: JPH. VICENS, PRBO, which could easily correspond to Joseph Vicens, Presbyter. The foot is closed by a hand-engraved silver disk. The chalice comes with a beautiful gilt-silver paten with the hand-engraved acronym of Jesus Christ, IHS, framed by symmetrical leaves. So beautiful and with an unquestionable quality, this amazing Spanish silver chalice made by Francesc Carreras can be the best gift for the ordination of a priest. Dimensions: Chalice: Foots Width: 5.51 in / 14 cm. Cups Width: 3 in / 7.8 cm. Height: 26.8 in / 10.55 cm. Weight: 605 g. Paten: Diameter: 5.7 in / 14.5 cm. Weight: 88 g.