Chalice Louis XVI, Antwerp 1798-1809, Sterling Silver

Very elegant Empire period mass chalice in solid silver. Stylistically it still belongs entirely to the previous LouisXVI era with its neoclassical decorations. On the outside cup, in three diamond-shaped medallions, the instruments of the Passion of Christ are represented. The rest of the decorations belong to the classic register of the Louis XVI style. It is hallmarked with the guarantee hallmark  “au coq” silver and with the control hallmark of office 67, Antwerp for the period 1798-1809. The diamond-shaped master goldsmith's mark containing the letters IG surmounting a star is not listed but the possibilities of concordance of these initials with the list of goldsmiths active in Antwerp at that time leaves only one possibility Petrus Iosephus Gouche, already a goldsmith under the 'Ancien Régime', which may explain the older style of the object in question. With its 28 cm height, this chalice is rather large and its cupa is rather high and wide. The vermeil is still in very good condition. It weighs 450 grams.