Silver Chalice, France XVIII Century, Nantes Circa 1742

Chalice in molten, embossed, amati and chiseled silver, made in four screwed parts: the circular base, the baluster shaft with a Medici knot, the golden cup and the false cup. On this chalice, the Regency repertoire is still required on most of the surface. Nevertheless, the protruding and grooved foot adopts, on the cavet, a decoration with compartments and rosettes promised to have a long future, reflecting the craft of a master acquired in the new style. He decided to no longer rest this chalice on a base welded to a cut foliage frieze, as most goldsmiths of this period practiced. The terrace is separated from the foot by a projecting frieze of ovates, slightly domed, but remains fairly flat. The surface of the chalice is divided into polished and matte parts, thus making it possible to play with the reflections of light and to highlight the chiseled ornament both on the terrace and on other parts of the chalice. An engraved Latin cross, surrounded by two letters M on each side, is present on the terrace and occupies the place provided by the goldsmith. To the robustness of the base of the chalice, the goldsmith contrasts the lightness of an undercut and the contrasting profile of the stem. The flared cup is set in a faux-cut cut, matted and chiseled with lambrequins, lanceolate leaves, shells, and acanthus cartridges. Among this decoration we find ears of wheat – an early use of the Eucharistic motif – all in perfect harmony with the ornamentation executed on the terrace of the foot and on the knot. French work around 1742, Nantes. 950/1000 silver, hallmarks on the foot: large load - a crowned dolphin, large discharge - sheep's head, letter date - 1742. Master Goldsmith hallmark: Pimot widow Jacques, née Marie Michelet / 1714-1758 / ** Height: 27 .5 cm. Foot diameter: 15.3 cm. Weight: 772g. In a perfect state. / without restarts or shocks / ** General inventory, Nantes goldsmithery ISBN 2-11-081040-8, pages 59,107 ——————————