Antique Solid Silver Ciborium by Favier. Well Preserved. France, XIX Century

Beautiful sterling silver ciborium, quite ancient and in very good condition. This is an ecclesiastical piece made in France in the 19th century, with its original lid and decorated with Eucharistic-related embossed motives. The ciborium is gorgeous and bears hallmarks in all its parts. The marks correspond to France (Minerva goddesss profile) and to the silversmith Favier whose name is clearly marked in capital letters. Favier was a prestigious artist that worked in the French city of Lyon in the 19th century. These marks testify for the pieces quality and origin, and provide it with interest and authenticity. The silver boasts a delicately gold-plated surface with generaly well-preserved and subtle tone, worn in some places. At the base we can see three fine embossed images depicting the Holy Family: Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. The portraits between the portraits we can see two symbols related to the Eucharist: grape bunches (wine) and wheat stalks (bread). The bases edge is decorated with more images of wheat stalks (related to the bread contained into the ciborium in the shape of hosts) and symbols of Christs Martyrdom: the crown of thorns, the whip and the nails. The central node is decorated with reed, a classic Christian-related plant. The cup is also embellished with images of reed, wheat stalks, wine plants and three more sacred characters: a saint woman with an anchor (probably Saint Philomena), a figure holding a big cross and a chalice and a woman who is sheltering two small kids beneath her mantle. The ciboriums lid, on the other hand, is decorated with more embossed motives depicting wheat stalks, wine plants and reed. Its profuse decoration and the beauty of the golden silver turn this amazing ciborium into a piece worthy of a museum of sacred art. Measurements: Width: 5.5 in / 14 cm. Height: 11.4 in / 29 cm. Weight 525 grames