Silver Chalice And Paten, France, Early 19th Century

A neoclassical silver chalice resting on a circular, cyma-shaped foot adorned with three rosettes. The chalice's base, encircled by a wide frieze of palm fronds, features repoussé and guilloché decoration of classic Eucharistic motifs composed of bouquets of vines, wheat, and rushes within openwork frames. A fleur-de-lis cross also adorns the base. The stem is punctuated by an ovoid knot embellished with bouquets of wheat and water leaves, flanked by two flattened orbs decorated with interlaced friezes. The stem supports a straight cup, gilded on the inside (wear to the gilding), which flares at the top. 950/1000 silver, Paris Rooster hallmark 1798-1809 on the base and Vieillard hallmark 1819-1838 on the chalice's cup. Maker's mark: Jean-François Mézard, active in Paris from 1798 to 1822, specialist in silverware for the Church.** This chalice is accompanied by a gilt silver paten, engraved with the symbol of Christ. 950/1000 silver, hallmarks 1798-1809 present but barely legible. Height: 27 cm Diameter of the base: 12.8 cm Maximum diameter of the cup: 7.9 cm Weight of the chalice: 437 g The chalice is in good condition, without restoration, upright and stable. A few slight dents on the knop are present. The reverse of the base bears a period inscription: "Given to St. Vincent". The paten: signs of use, slight dents on the rim and worn gilding. Diameter: 13.5 cm Weight: 67 g ** A chalice by the same goldsmith and of a very similar design is kept in the parish church of Saint-Étienne, commune of Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt.