Antique Silver Chalice By The Silversmith Diego De La Vega, Cordoba, Spain, C. 1825

Antique silver chalice made in Cordoba, Spain, circa 1825, attributed by its hallmark to the Cordovan silversmith Diego de la Vega y Torres. It is a very sober, elegant piece, especially attractive because of its age, as it is preserved in superb condition after two centuries of history.

The base is circular, broad and stepped, with a very balanced classical design. It has concentric mouldings, a fine decorative beading and an engraved border of simple lines, without ornamental excess. On the edge of the base appears the VEGA hallmark, corresponding to Diego de la Vega y Torres, a silversmith active in Cordoba at the beginning of the 19th century. Next to the surname, an initial figure 2 and another barely legible figure can be distinguished. This silversmith marked his pieces with his surname and the last two digits of the year, so this chalice was made between 1820 and 1829.

From the base rises a slender and very well-proportioned stem, formed by small moulded knops that bring rhythm to the general simplicity. The cup is plain, open and of elegant profile. The exterior retains the white silver, while the interior appears entirely gilded. This contrast between the exterior silver and the gilded interior brings beauty and solemnity. The cup retains a very good appearance, with a surface in excellent state of conservation, without a single scratch. The state of conservation is excellent for a chalice of around 200 years. It is a liturgical object that has survived generations.

This chalice has two centuries of religious life, of priestly hands, of altars and of Masses celebrated. It is difficult to imagine how many parishes it will have known and how many stories its silver walls will hold. Its beauty lies not only in its sober form, but in the emotion of recovering an antique chalice in order to return it to the Church, and to use it for that for which it was created, which is nothing other than to celebrate the Eucharist.

It is a magnificent chalice for a parish, a chapel or a priest who wishes to celebrate Mass with an authentically antique piece. It is the opportunity to return to the Church a Cordovan silver chalice that can still accompany a priest through many more Masses. A very old chalice, 200 years old, which has reached our days in exceptional condition and is looking for a new home, a new parish and a new priest, and thus be able to continue its life story, who knows whether for another 200 years.

Measurements: Height: 23.5 cm (9.25 in). Diameter of the cup: 9.5 cm (3.74 in). Diameter of the base: 16 cm (6.30 in). Weight: 480 g. (16.93 oz.)