Antique Baroque Silver Chalice. Alexis Renaud. France, Paris 1831-1838

This magnificent liturgical chalice, executed in silver with gilded interior, is an exceptional piece of nineteenth-century Parisian sacred silverwork. Signed by the master Alexis Renaud and made between 1831 and 1838, it stands out not only for its elegant structure but also for its profound iconographic content and extremely high artistic quality.

The circular-profile base rises on an ornamented step and features three deeply engraved pyramidal medallions that intensely narrate key scenes from the Passion of Christ. The first depicts the Agony in the Garden. Christ, kneeling, prays with a serene yet tense face, asking God to take away the cup of bitterness and pain. The surrounding vegetation is delicately suggested with burin strokes, creating an intimate and dramatic background.

The second medallion shows the encounter with Simon of Cyrene. Jesus falls under the weight of the cross, his lowered face showing suffering, while Simon holds the cross firmly, helping him to rise. The composition plays with depth and volume. The figures emerge in high relief with great expressive force, highlighting human effort and compassion.

The third medallion represents the Crucifixion. Christ is nailed to the cross, his head tilted to one side, the loincloth subtly waving, and the arms extended in a balanced posture. At his feet appear elements of Mount Golgotha and three female figures, possibly the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene and Mary of Clopas.

Between each medallion are fine engravings of grape clusters, vine leaves and ears of wheat, Eucharistic symbols par excellence, executed with a meticulous technique mixing smooth and granulated textures. Below one of the medallions appear the hand-engraved initials “L” and “C,” possibly those of the original owner.

The knot is broad and prominent, with vegetal decoration composed of crossed ears of wheat, reeds and vines entwined symmetrically, repeating the vegetal iconography of the base. Apparently, there is a fold in the silver at that point, which can be seen in the photos. The bell-shaped cup, gilded inside, features three circular medallions with relief busts of the Holy Family. Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Each bust is framed by a laurel garland with dotted background and separated by vegetal cartouches composed of reeds, ears of grain and corn leaves finely chiselled.

The hallmarks visible on the base and the cup, used between 1819 and 1838, and the mark of Alexis Renaud, used between 1831 and 1847, allow the piece to be dated between 1831 and 1838.

Alexis Renaud was one of the great liturgical silversmiths of the first half of the nineteenth century in Paris. His production, brief but highly significant, extends from 1831, when he registered his official master’s mark, to 1847, when he retired it. Established on Quai Pelletier, his workshop was in the heart of a city in full religious and artistic effervescence.

His style fits within French liturgical neoclassicism, characterised by formal precision, symmetry and the use of highly symbolic iconography. His works are distinguished by the inclusion of figurative medallions, abundant vegetal motifs and extremely refined execution in reliefs.

Renaud worked for many French churches, creating chalices, ciboria, reliquaries and monstrances. Some of his pieces are still preserved in heritage collections such as the cathedral of Meaux or the church of Dinan. The hallmark that identifies him, a scale with drops and a star above his surname “Renaud”, is a guarantee of authenticity and quality.

Because his production was concentrated in just sixteen years, pieces signed by Alexis Renaud are today especially sought after by collectors, liturgists and antique dealers. Each one is not only a devotional object but also a living testimony of nineteenth-century French sacred art.

This chalice is accompanied by a gilt silver paten from the second half of the nineteenth century, made by the famous silversmith Placide Poussielgue-Rusand. His mark, with the initials “P P R” accompanied by a cross, anchor and heart topped by a star, was used in Paris between 1847 and 1891.

A work of worship and art, its symbolic richness and historical value make it an exceptional acquisition. An outstanding liturgical piece, ideal for a priest or someone about to be ordained.

Measurements: height 33, base 16.2 cm, cup 9.5 cm (13 in, 6.38 in, 3.74 in). Paten 13.5 cm (5.31 in). Weight: 662 g chalice · 72 g paten · 734 g total.

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