Silver And Vermeil Chalice And Paten, France, 18th Century

Silver and vermeil chalice in the Rocaille style, from the Louis XV period, 18th century. It rests on a wide, circular base with a doucine, accented by a frieze of twisted flutes. The domed, bell-shaped rim is richly decorated with repoussé work and engraved with shells, rocaille motifs, volutes, reeds, and ears of wheat against a guilloché background.
The shaft, with a strongly architectural design, consists of a succession of rings and molded projections. At its center is a prominent baluster-shaped knot, bulging and faceted, with molded sides, adorned with small shell motifs set within recesses.
The flared, gilded bowl is set within a solid silver faux bowl, made of repoussé, chiseled, and guilloché silver, adorned with seashells, vine tendrils, grape clusters, foliage, and rocaille scrolls, all in perfect harmony with the decoration on the base’s terrace.
Traces of 18th-century French hallmarks, currently difficult to read.
An interesting stylistic comparison can nevertheless be drawn with the chalice from Chenevrey (Haute-Saône, Burgundy-Franche-Comté), dated 1756 and crafted by Pierre-Ignace Thiébaud (1696–1778), who was admitted as a master silversmith in 1739. The description in the inventory of this work notes that its decoration and formal characteristics bear strong similarities to the present chalice. **
Silver with a presumed fineness of 950/1000.
The various parts of the chalice bear French hallmarks known as “the swan.”
Dimensions and weight:
Height: 29 cm
Maximum diameter of the bowl: 9.2 cm
Diameter of the base: 16 cm
Weight: 645 g
This chalice is accompanied by a gilded silver paten, the center of which is engraved with the monogram IHS.
Most likely from the 18th century, like the chalice, it fits perfectly into its bowl.
Silver with a presumed fineness of 950/1000, bearing the French “swan” hallmark.
Diameter: 15.5 cm
Weight: 178 g
The set is in perfect condition, with no restoration, no significant dents or scratches, and ready for liturgical use. The chalice and paten have been re-gilded. Comes with its original carrying case, though the closure mechanism is damaged.

** General Inventory of Marnay’s Cultural Heritage

Chenevrey-et-Morogne

Ref. Movable Heritage IM70000560