Antique Spanish Silver Chalice. Aspiazu. San Sebastian. Spain, Circa 1790

Antique Spanish Silver Chalice. Aspiazu. San Sebastian. Spain, Circa 1790

This magnificent Spanish silver chalice is an exceptional piece of sacred silverwork, signed by the silversmith Aspiazu and crafted in San Sebastián (Guipúzcoa) around 1790. With more than two centuries of history, the chalice remains in excellent condition and represents a fine example of the sobriety and elegance typical of late eighteenth-century Spanish liturgical art. The piece bears period hallmarks on the base, which, although slightly worn over time, allow for fairly clear identification of the silversmith's stamp. All evidence points to Nicolás Aspiazu, a master silversmith active in the Guipuzcoan capital between the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

Nicolás Aspiazu was a Spanish master silversmith active in San Sebastián at the end of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth century. His activity is part of the rich Basque silversmithing tradition, particularly notable in cities such as Vitoria, Bilbao, and San Sebastián, where prestigious workshops flourished serving both the nobility and the clergy. Aspiazu specialized in religious silverwork, crafting chalices, ciboria, monstrances, and other liturgical pieces, many of them marked with punches certifying their origin and authorship.

The design of the chalice is sober, restrained, and of great visual balance. It rises on a circular base with gentle moldings, leading to a turned stem with several nodes that add rhythm and verticality to the ensemble. The cup, completely smooth, stands out for its clean profile, slightly flared shape, and gilded interior, as appropriate for pieces intended for liturgical use. The interior gilding shines with a warm and deep tone that contrasts beautifully with the exterior polished in bright silver.

The Guipuzcoan hallmarks of the period typically included both the city and the author's name, and it was common for these stamps to be slightly compressed due to centuries of wear. Aspiazu's work shows a clear influence of neoclassical aesthetics, with clean compositions, balanced structures, and sober forms, always seeking discreet and functional elegance.

No significant flaws or visible restorations are noted; the slight signs of use are consistent with an authentic piece over two hundred years old and lend it character and history. The chalice has been carefully preserved, and its structure remains firm and stable, with an impeccable silhouette that continues to convey the nobility of its original function.

His activity helped consolidate the prestige of Basque silverwork within Spanish production, and today his works are appreciated in both ecclesiastical and private collections. Pieces like this chalice are living testimonies to the splendor of religious silverwork during a time of artistic transition and deep religiosity.

A piece like this not only enhances any specialized collection of sacred silverwork but would also be perfect to reintroduce into the Church, for use in a parish. The balance of forms, the honesty of its design, and the nobility of its materials make this chalice an excellent investment both artistically, historically, and spiritually.

Do not miss the opportunity to acquire an authentic piece of eighteenth-century Spanish silverwork, with documentary value and great aesthetic strength.

Dimensions: 25.7 cm x 14 cm x 8.5 cm (10.11 in x 5.51 in x 3.34 in)

Weight: 498 g