Antique Spanish Solid Gilt Silver Ciborium. Large Size. Spain, C. 1950
Magnificent antique solid silver gilt ciborium made in Spain around 1950, of large size, strong liturgical presence and excellent state of preservation, simply like new. This piece is entirely made in gilded silver. It displays a very refined aesthetic, combining smooth surfaces with richly decorated relief areas of clear Eucharistic inspiration.
The circular base features a radial relief decoration composed of stylized wheat sheaves, executed with great detail and very well preserved. The same motif appears repeated on the lid and in different areas of the central knop, creating a harmonious decorative language throughout the entire piece. The knop is wide and solid, also decorated with vegetal motifs and wheat sheaves, while at the same time providing a comfortable and secure grip during liturgical use. The subcup is richly decorated with vegetal relief motifs and medallions bearing the Chrismon accompanied by the Alpha and Omega letters, traditional symbols associated with Christ and the Eucharist.
Around the upper band of the cup appears the Latin inscription "Panis De Coelo Omne Delectamentum In Se Habens", a liturgical phrase that may be translated as "Bread from Heaven Containing Within Itself Every Delight". The inscription is deeply engraved and perfectly legible. Another inscription engraved on the base records the donation of the piece: "The spouses Diodoro Jabala and Juana Borñas donate this ciborium to the House of the Illustrious Saint Xavier as a pious remembrance". This detail adds historical and devotional interest to the piece while reinforcing its authenticity and original ecclesiastical use.
The ciborium bears visible 20th century Spanish silver hallmarks on different parts of the piece, including the base, cup and lid. The silversmith's mark is also present. The gilding remains in exceptional condition, practically without visible wear, preserving a uniform brilliance both inside and outside the cup. No dents, deformations or important losses can be observed, something rather uncommon in large liturgical pieces intended for continuous use. The lid closes properly and the upper cross remains firm.
The inscription engraved on the base of this ciborium mentions the "House of the Illustrious Saint Xavier", a denomination clearly linked to Saint Francis Xavier, one of the most important saints within Jesuit tradition and Spanish Catholicism. Although it has not been possible to identify with complete certainty the exact institution for which the piece was intended, everything suggests that it was a religious house, residence, school or devotional center connected to the Society of Jesus.
The use of the term "illustrious" is especially interesting. During the 19th and 20th centuries it was relatively common to employ honorific expressions of this kind in religious inscriptions and liturgical objects donated to churches or Catholic institutions. The word was used to emphasize the spiritual, historical or missionary importance of the saint being referred to. In this case it perfectly matches the enormous importance of Saint Francis Xavier within the Jesuit and missionary world.
Saint Francis Xavier was born in Navarre in 1506 and was one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus together with Saint Ignatius of Loyola. His evangelizing work in Asia, especially in India and Japan, made him one of the most venerated figures of the Catholic Church. Because of this, numerous religious institutions, schools and houses of formation bore his name both in Spain and throughout Latin America during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The inscription on this ciborium also suggests a context of pious family donation, something very common in liturgical pieces intended for important churches or religious centers. These kinds of engravings not only documented the donation of the piece, but also preserved the memory of the donors and reinforced the devotional character of the object.
This beautiful ciborium is especially suitable for reintroduction into church use and would be ideal for an important parish or cathedral. It is also highly interesting for collectors of 20th century Spanish religious silverwork due to its size, quality and magnificent state of preservation.
Its large capacity and strong liturgical presence make it an unusual ciborium within mid 20th century Spanish religious silverwork. The preservation of the gilding and relief decoration is excellent and allows the full decorative richness of the piece to be perfectly appreciated. Its considerable weight, 1260 grams, together with its generous dimensions, make it especially suitable for important parishes, large churches or cathedrals. The donation inscription also adds a very attractive historical and documentary dimension for collectors or ecclesiastical use.
Measurements: Height: 26 cm (10.24 in). Cup diameter: 15 cm (5.91 in). Base diameter: 13.3 cm (5.24 in). Weight: 1260 g. (44.45 oz.)
The circular base features a radial relief decoration composed of stylized wheat sheaves, executed with great detail and very well preserved. The same motif appears repeated on the lid and in different areas of the central knop, creating a harmonious decorative language throughout the entire piece. The knop is wide and solid, also decorated with vegetal motifs and wheat sheaves, while at the same time providing a comfortable and secure grip during liturgical use. The subcup is richly decorated with vegetal relief motifs and medallions bearing the Chrismon accompanied by the Alpha and Omega letters, traditional symbols associated with Christ and the Eucharist.
Around the upper band of the cup appears the Latin inscription "Panis De Coelo Omne Delectamentum In Se Habens", a liturgical phrase that may be translated as "Bread from Heaven Containing Within Itself Every Delight". The inscription is deeply engraved and perfectly legible. Another inscription engraved on the base records the donation of the piece: "The spouses Diodoro Jabala and Juana Borñas donate this ciborium to the House of the Illustrious Saint Xavier as a pious remembrance". This detail adds historical and devotional interest to the piece while reinforcing its authenticity and original ecclesiastical use.
The ciborium bears visible 20th century Spanish silver hallmarks on different parts of the piece, including the base, cup and lid. The silversmith's mark is also present. The gilding remains in exceptional condition, practically without visible wear, preserving a uniform brilliance both inside and outside the cup. No dents, deformations or important losses can be observed, something rather uncommon in large liturgical pieces intended for continuous use. The lid closes properly and the upper cross remains firm.
The inscription engraved on the base of this ciborium mentions the "House of the Illustrious Saint Xavier", a denomination clearly linked to Saint Francis Xavier, one of the most important saints within Jesuit tradition and Spanish Catholicism. Although it has not been possible to identify with complete certainty the exact institution for which the piece was intended, everything suggests that it was a religious house, residence, school or devotional center connected to the Society of Jesus.
The use of the term "illustrious" is especially interesting. During the 19th and 20th centuries it was relatively common to employ honorific expressions of this kind in religious inscriptions and liturgical objects donated to churches or Catholic institutions. The word was used to emphasize the spiritual, historical or missionary importance of the saint being referred to. In this case it perfectly matches the enormous importance of Saint Francis Xavier within the Jesuit and missionary world.
Saint Francis Xavier was born in Navarre in 1506 and was one of the founding members of the Society of Jesus together with Saint Ignatius of Loyola. His evangelizing work in Asia, especially in India and Japan, made him one of the most venerated figures of the Catholic Church. Because of this, numerous religious institutions, schools and houses of formation bore his name both in Spain and throughout Latin America during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The inscription on this ciborium also suggests a context of pious family donation, something very common in liturgical pieces intended for important churches or religious centers. These kinds of engravings not only documented the donation of the piece, but also preserved the memory of the donors and reinforced the devotional character of the object.
This beautiful ciborium is especially suitable for reintroduction into church use and would be ideal for an important parish or cathedral. It is also highly interesting for collectors of 20th century Spanish religious silverwork due to its size, quality and magnificent state of preservation.
Its large capacity and strong liturgical presence make it an unusual ciborium within mid 20th century Spanish religious silverwork. The preservation of the gilding and relief decoration is excellent and allows the full decorative richness of the piece to be perfectly appreciated. Its considerable weight, 1260 grams, together with its generous dimensions, make it especially suitable for important parishes, large churches or cathedrals. The donation inscription also adds a very attractive historical and documentary dimension for collectors or ecclesiastical use.
Measurements: Height: 26 cm (10.24 in). Cup diameter: 15 cm (5.91 in). Base diameter: 13.3 cm (5.24 in). Weight: 1260 g. (44.45 oz.)
4 200 €
Period: 20th century
Style: Other Style
Condition: Good condition
Reference (ID): 1779600
Availability: In stock
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