Antique Spanish Chalice Owned by the Royal Family. Francisco Marzo. Madrid, Spain, 1881

Antique Spanish chalice owned by the Royal Family, made by Francisco Marzo (F. Marzo) in Madrid, Spain in 1881. This amazing piece of singular historic relevance has some hallmarks from Madrid at the foot, together with the silversmiths mark with his name and symbol perfectly legible. The chalice remains in fine condition and stands out for its balanced design and good-looking decoration. The base is circular and ample, and has three engraved medallions with Christian symbols: the Sacred Heart, the Anchor and the Chalice with the Consecrated Host. Between them, a series of linear symmetrical motifs embellish the rest of the surface and provide the decoration with a feel of movement. At the foots edge we can see a hand-engraved inscription: REGI REGUM ILDEPHONSUS XII ANNO DOMINI MDCCCLXXXI KING OF KINGS ALFONSO XII YEAR OF OUR LORD 1881. The stem has two central nodes, main and secondary, with simple floral-inspired engraved motifs. Over it, the silver cup bears no decoration and has a fine flared shaped edge. The chalice comes with a gilt-silver paten, with the French silver hallmark and the silversmiths mark near the edge. This antique Spanish silver chalice owned by the Royal Family is a beautiful piece and a historic article, once donated by king Alfonso XII and his family. Dimensions: Chalice: Foots Width: 5.51 in / 14 cm. Cups Width: 3.15 in / 8 cm. Height: 10.43 in / 26.5 cm. Weight: 417 g. Paten: Diameter: 5.51 in / 14.8 cm. Weight: 110 g. Total Weight: 527 g. Francisco Marzo - History Francisco Marzo was a jeweler and goldsmith from Madrid who lived in the second half of the 19th century. He worked mostly for the Royal Family during the reign of Alfonso XII. Actually, he was the one who designed and manufactured the royal crown worn by María de las Mercedes in the royal wedding of 1878. He also made the jewels that the king gave to his fiancée as a present, and the sword which she gave him. Later, Francisco Marzo would also make the jewels for the second wedding of Alfonso XII with María Cristina de Habsburgo-Lorena, and for the weddings of the kings sisters too. As well as making wedding jewels, he also manufactured the presents that the kings gave to other people. Marzo had a workshop at the Carrera de San Jeronimo in Madrid, where he also made pieces for particulars. During the last days of his life he forged a partnership with the jewelers García and Florez, which he kept until his death in 1891.