Enameled silver chalice, S. XIX.

Wonderful French chalice made of solid silver in the 19th century. The chalice bears hallmarks everywhere: both in the cup and in the base. Some parts of the chalice (the node and the base) are decorated with lovely embossed motives which form a stylized vegetal pattern. The most profusely decorated part is the base, which together with the embossed motives also boasts three delicately enameled medals with portraits of Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. The chalice is in perfect condition in spite of its ancient age: it shows no bumps, marks or scratches. The three enameled medals at the base are a rare and lovely detail; the colors have not deteriorated with the trace of time. Saint Joseph holds a flowery rod; curiously enough, this detail comes from the Apocryphal Gospels, which tell that one man of each tribe of Israel was called in order to choose Virgin Marys husband. Each man carried a rod, and from all the rods an angel picked the smallest one (Saint Josephs rod). Then the rod flowered. The other medals are portraits of Virgin Mary, dressed in blue and pink clothes, and Jesus Christ, who is holding a book in his left hand while he lifts the right one in the air; he seems to be preaching. At the base there are two hallmarks: one with the letters LG and the other is a classical profile, probably Minerva goddesss. The cup bears both hallmarks too. These marks testify for the value and ancient age of this exceptional piece, which is a real collectors item, really beautiful and of spectacular manufacture. Measurements: 125 mm width x 230 mm height.