Chalice Louis XVI, Antwerp 1780-1800, Sterling Silver Gilded

Sumptuous mass chalice in solid silver and vermeil. It dates from the Louis XVI period and is in perfect condition thanks to the thick silver  in which it was made. An original vermeil covers its entire surface. It disassembles into six parts for easy cleaning. Several almost identical chalices are listed with hallmarks of the antwerpian silversmith Verberckt from around 17800-1800. This chalice is not hallmarked. Its foot is decorated with three repoussé scenes in silver. In the center is Christ on the Cross flanked by the Blessed Virgin and St. John. In the other two medallions are Saint Nicholas and Saint Anthony of Padua. The rest of the chalice is richly decorated with neoclassical motifs. The cup that surrounds the cup of the chalice in embossed silver bears the portraits of Saint-Peter and Saint-Paul in two of the three medallions. With its 28 centimeters in height, this chalice is rather big .