Brussels 1596 - Rare Vermeil Chalice From The Late XVIᵉ Century

Brussels 1596 - Rare vermeil chalice from the late XVIᵉ century

Rare and important vermeil chalice made in Brussels at the very end of the XVIᵉ century, dated 1596 by its letter-date Q as well as by the engraved inscription "1596" visible under the base.

This remarkable example of late-Renaissance Brussels silversmithing features an elegant poly-lobed base, typical of Brussels production of this period. The base is adorned with a fine frieze in relief around the rim and retains a still-visible engraving depicting Christ on the cross, a particularly interesting feature given the piece's age and liturgical use.

The architectural knot, with sides and projections, develops a decoration typical of the late XVIᵉ century with alternating gadroons, geometric reserves and engraved motifs. The set retains a very fine original antique vermeil, displaying a remarkable and homogeneous patina, never reworked or redecorated in its general appearance.

The hallmarks are present and clearly legible under the base:

• Brussels city hallmark,
• letter-date Q corresponding to the year 1596,
• unidentified goldsmith's hallmark featuring a Maltese cross.

It should be noted that the bowl is reported. This one, probably made in the XIXᵉ century in vermeil, was formerly adapted on the original shaft and base. This type of replacement is common on antique chalices, as liturgical cups have often suffered from wear or transformations over the centuries. As for the base and shaft, they remain very much from the late XVIᵉ century.

Brussels chalices from this period, preserved with their hallmarks and antique vermeil, remain particularly rare on the market.

Features:

• City : Brussels
• Date : 1596
• Era: late XVIᵉ century
• Material: silver vermeillé
• Polylobed base
• Original antique vermeil
• Engraving of Christ on the cross on the base
• Letter-date Q for 1596
• Unidentified Maltese cross silversmith's hallmark
• Added cup, probably XIXᵉ century
• Original shaft and base late XVIᵉ century
• Height: 22.5 cm
• Weight: 586 g
• Condition: very good condition; wear and traces of use consistent with age, very good preservation of the antique vermeil.