Very Antique 18th-Century Spanish Gilt Silver Chalice. Cordoba, Spain, Circa 1773

Very Antique 18th-Century Spanish Gilt Silver Chalice. Cordoba, Spain, Circa 1773

Extraordinary 18th-century Spanish gilt silver chalice made in Cordoba, Spain circa 1773 by Juan de Luque y Leyva and Antonio José Santa Cruz. It bears both hallmarks. This is a really amazing piece, entirely decorated with many embossed and engraved motifs depicting different symbols. At the foot we can see the Paschal Lamb holding the flag with the Cross, a Phoenix Bird (symbol of the Resurrection) and a lion, the symbol of Jesus as the Lion of the Tribe of Juda. This part bears some hallmarks too: the mark 73 LEIVA with the year of manufacture (1773) and the silversmith’s name, Juan de Luque y Leyva, and a mark with a rampant lion looking to the right which corresponds to the city of Cordoba. Also, next to these appears the hallmark S. Cruz that belonged to Antonio Jose Santa Cruz, famous silversmith of Cordoba in the 18th century. The rest of the chalice is adorned with engravings depicting the Arma Christi, the objects used in the Crucifixion. The node contains images of the Cross, the Saint Lance and the Saint Sponge and the Ladder used in the Descent. On the other hand, the subcup is decorated with the Hammer and the Tongs, the Three Nails and the Crown of Thorns. The chalice is accompanied by an antique paten, also made of silver.

This extraordinary 18th-century Spanish gilt silver chalice is an awesome antique and a real work of sacred art.

Dimensions: Chalice: Foot’s Width: 6.29 in / 16 cm. Cup’s Width: 3.14 in / 8 cm. Height: 10.62 in / 27 cm. Weight: 776 g. Paten: Diameter: 5.51 in / 14 cm. Weight: 102 g. Total Weight: 878 g.