Solid Silver Chalice

Silver chalice, 17th century. European work, probably France or Italy. This silver chalice, typical of 17th-century liturgical metalwork, has a slender and harmonious silhouette, combining simplicity with rich decoration. The slightly flared bowl rests on a stem adorned with a finely chased pear-shaped knot. This knot, an emblematic element of Baroque chalices, is richly decorated with vegetal motifs and relief cartouches, giving the whole a sculptural and almost architectural dimension. The wide, bell-shaped foot opens onto an openwork frieze of finely cut acanthus leaves. This decoration, characteristic of the European Baroque style, testifies to the goldsmith's great precision, combining chasing, cutting, and repoussé techniques. The surface, patinated by time, reveals traces of the old metal, reinforcing the authenticity and presence of the piece.