Antique Silver Chalice. Enameled Crosses. Valencia, Spain, 1942

Antique Silver Chalice with Enameled Crosses. Valencia, Spain, 1942

This magnificent silver chalice, crafted in Spain in 1942, stands out not only for its splendid craftsmanship but also for the profound symbolic and historical value it holds. It is a liturgical piece made entirely of solid silver, carefully decorated throughout with repoussé and engraved vegetal motifs, from its wide base to the body below the cup. The elegantly bell-shaped base is adorned with a rich border of stylized leaves, among which four circular medallions with crosses are embedded. Three of these crosses are enameled in vivid colors —red, blue, and green— creating a beautiful contrast with the matte and polished shine of the silver.

The engraved inscription on the base reveals the unique history that accompanies this piece: "La Acción Católica de Santos Juanes a su Reverendo Señor Cura Dr. Don Vicente Fontelles Puchades en sus Bodas de Plata, Valencia 24-6-1917-1942." With this dedication, the community of the Church of Santos Juanes in Valencia offered this chalice as a tribute to the priest on the occasion of his 25 years of priesthood. The Church of Santos Juanes, also known as the Church of Saint John of the Market, is one of the oldest and most emblematic religious monuments in Valencia. Built over an old mosque in the 13th century and later deeply reformed in the Baroque style during the 17th and 18th centuries, it stands out for its impressive altarpiece and paintings by Antonio Palomino, a disciple of Claudio Coello. For centuries, Santos Juanes served as a central hub of Catholic life in Valencia, and the Catholic Action movement had a strong presence in this parish, reinforcing the significance of this chalice as a living testimony of local religious life.

Thus, the chalice becomes a symbol of gratitude and devotion toward Dr. Don Vicente Fontelles Puchades, a priest highly esteemed in the Valencian community. Ordained in 1917, he exercised his ministry during one of the most complex periods of recent Spanish history, marked by the Civil War and the post-war era. Celebrating his 25th anniversary as a priest in 1942 with a chalice of such quality represented not only a personal homage but also a spiritual act of resistance and fidelity to the Catholic faith during difficult times. Although no extensive biography of his life has been preserved, his name continues to be honored in the records of the parish he served with devotion.

The cup of the chalice, with clean lines and a smooth interior surface, rises over a superb central node shaped like a dome and surrounded by a collar of chiseled leaves. This node facilitates handling during the liturgy and completes the traditional silhouette of Catholic chalices. The openwork design on the body of the cup further enhances its refined and Gothic appearance, with lance-shaped leaves ascending toward the rim like a vegetal crown. Despite the absence of visible hallmarks, the piece has been verified as solid silver, with a total weight of 496 grams.

The detailed decoration, the symbolism of the enameled crosses, and the personalized dedication make this chalice a true jewel of Spanish sacred art from the 20th century. It is much more than a liturgical piece: it is a tangible testimony of a life devoted to the priesthood, a grateful community, and a complex but faith-filled historical period. Perfect for reintroduction into the Church, use in a parish, or inclusion in a sacred art collection.

Measurements: 23 × 13.7 × 8.3 cm (9 × 5.39 × 3.27 in).

Weight: 496 g.