Antique Silver Ciborium, XIX Century

Gorgeous antique solid-silver ciborium with gold-plated finish, wonderfully preserved and with a remarkable attractive. The ciborium comes from France where it was made in the 19th century. The design of this piece of sacrum art stands out for its profuse hand-engraved decoration. The silvers surface is fully decorated with lovely engravings depicting catholic symbols, images of the Sacred Family and many details such as volutes, dots, flowers and shells. All the parts of this ciborium bear hallmarks, among them the profile of goddess Minerva (the mark for antique French silver). The ciboriums base is circular in shape and bears a wide fringe composed of short parallel lines. Its surface is decorated with couples of small angels (putti). The angles are alternated with engravings depicting reeds, grape bunches and wheat stalks, classic symbols of the Christian religion and Eucharist. Over the base, the stem bears a fine node with the same embossed symbols. The images bear beautiful curved frames; between them we find small flowers inscribed in circles. The cup draws out attention for its big size and decorative beauty. It bears the embossed portraits of the members of the Sacred Family: Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and Jesus Christ. The portraits are delicately performed, standing out over a dotted background and inscribed into medals. The lid bears the same hand-engraved decoration as the rest of the ciborium and is crowned by a lovely cross. This antique solid-silver ciborium is a real piece of sacred art, worthy of inclusion in any churchs treasure. Measurements: Width: 6.1 in / 15.5 cm. Height: 13 in / 33 cm.