Liturgical Bucket For Holy Water

Solid silver liturgical bucket for holy water, Christian Caucasus/Armenia – Late 18th – Early 19th century. Height: 8 cm — Diameter: 9 cm — Weight: 176 g. DESCRIPTION: This solid silver liturgical bucket, intended for holding holy water, belongs to the Eastern Christian tradition of the Caucasus and Armenia. It is finely repoussé and chased, and features an exceptional decoration structured in five compartments separated by palm-shaped columns. Each scene is set beneath trefoil arches of oriental inspiration, surmounted by winged angels characteristic of Caucasian metalwork. The five scenes of the New Covenant depicted are: – The Annunciation – The Nativity of Christ – The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan – The Crucifixion (oriental type, Christ alive) – The Resurrection/Anastasis. The two handles feature facing winged dragons, an emblematic element of 18th-19th century Caucasian Christian metalwork, associated with the idea of sacred protection. The piece as a whole exhibits particularly deep relief, a hammered ground with tight granulation, and a composition perfectly consistent with workshops active in Tbilisi or the Van region around 1790–1830. EXPERT ESTIMATE (2025) Based on comparative sales (Sotheby's, Christie's, Bonhams, Dorotheum, Tajan), the following estimate is Estimated price: – Specialized market: €4,000 – €6,000 – High-end collector: €6,000 – €7,500 – Maximum potential in highly targeted sale: up to €8,000 This estimate takes into account the great rarity of the complete iconographic program (five scenes), the presence of the confronting dragons, the quality of the chasing and the excellent overall condition.