Beautiful Solid Silver Vermeil Chalice with Paten, France Circa 1870.

Lovely antique chalice and paten set made of solid gold-plated silver with engravings and hallmarks. These elegant pieces come from France and were made circa 1870. Although they are really antique, both have survived to our days in excellent condition, in mint condition. The paten is a very simple piece that is just adorned with the monogram IHS and the central cross, symbolizing Jesus Christ, while the chalice boasts a more careful and detailed decoration with several engraved motives in different parts. This decoration provides it with a great beauty and a stylized aesthetical harmony.This pieces wide base bears some engraved motives that appear again in the rest of the chalice. The base is decorated with three separated design: a landscape with stone walls and a big cross in the center, wheat stalks and rushes. Between them we can see some vegetal-inspired motives. The node is decorated with rushes and a grapevine; grapes and wheat stalks symbolize bread and wine, the main elements in Eucharist. The flat silver cup rests on an engraved stand decorated with the same motives.Both pieces, chalice and paten, bear several hallmarks that indicate their origin and testify for their quality. We can see the initials FF with a radiant circular shape between them, and a head of Minerva goddess, the French assay mark for sterling silver. In essence, this French chalice with paten is a great example of silver religious art that stands out thanks to its beauty and sober elegance.Such a lovely chalice is designed to shine in a great collection of sacred art, to re-consecrate it and return it to the Church or to be the main piece in a showcase intended to exhibit quality antiques.Measurements: Chalice: Cups height: 85 mm. Cups width: 85 mm. Total height: 290 mm. Paten: 140 mm diam.