Antique silver chalice by Carreras. Case. Spain, Barcelona 1820-1850

Antique silver chalice by Fch. Carreras. Case. Spain, Barcelona 1820-1850

This magnificent liturgical chalice was made in Barcelona between 1820 and 1850 by the renowned silversmith Francesch Carreras, as attested by the clearly visible hallmarks on the base of the piece. In addition to the author's signature, the official marks of the city of Barcelona, “BAR”, and of the assayer Narcís Rosell are also present, whose intervention certified the quality control of the silver used. The inner cup is gilded, respecting the liturgical tradition that preserves the dignity of the consecrated content.

The body of the chalice is richly decorated with engravings of deep symbolic content, focused on the instruments of the Passion of Christ. On the base appear three medallions with different representations. The first includes the cross accompanied by the spear and the sponge soaked in vinegar, evoking the final moment of the crucifixion. The second shows a container or jar, which may allude to the vinegar offered to Jesus. The third, more moving, contains tongs and a hammer, recalling the executioners who crucified him and those who, like Joseph of Arimathea or Nicodemus, removed the nails to take his body down.

On the cup are three engraved medallions that continue this iconographic narrative. The three nails of the Passion, a group of thorns or scourges, symbols of the flogging in the Roman praetorium, and again the spear along with the sponge. Surrounding these symbols is a decoration of finely engraved ears of wheat, a true Eucharistic symbol that refers to the consecrated Bread and the fruit of the earth transformed into the body of Christ. This combination of details is not merely decorative but deeply theological. It directly connects the sacrifice of the cross with the contemporary Eucharistic celebration.

The piece is completed by a plain paten, unmarked but verified as silver through acid testing. The set is preserved in a period case, covered in black leather on the outside and lined with red velvet on the inside. Although it shows clear signs of age, the case still protects the pieces perfectly and adds valuable historical context.

Francesch Carreras was a distinguished silversmith active in Barcelona during the first third of the 19th century, at a historical moment marked by the revival of religious and liturgical life after the political and social upheavals of the Napoleonic wars and the confiscations. Within this context, Catalan sacred art experienced a new rise, and Carreras became one of the most relevant names in ecclesiastical silverwork.

His works are distinguished by a clean, precise and deeply symbolic engraving technique, focused on the representation of scenes and objects linked to the mystery of redemption. The choice of motifs was not random. Carreras knew how to harmonize formal beauty with spiritual meaning, turning his pieces into true visual catecheses. This is evident in chalices, monstrances and cruets that bear his mark, some of which are still preserved in religious collections in Catalonia and the rest of Spain.

The use of official hallmarks such as those of the city of Barcelona (BAR) and of assayers like Narcís Rosell responds to strict regulations in force since the 18th century, intended to guarantee the authenticity of silver pieces. Rosell was one of the most recognized assayers of his time, and his intervention adds documentary and legal value to the pieces hallmarked under his supervision.

Carreras belongs to a generation of silversmiths who knew how to combine tradition, devotion and aesthetic refinement, leaving a legacy that still moves and captivates both the devout and collectors.

This chalice is ideal for a priest or someone who is about to be ordained. It is also a magnificent addition to sacred art collections or ecclesiastical museums, thanks to its excellent preservation, symbolic richness and certified provenance. Its delicate execution and the balance between devotion and aesthetics make it a truly exceptional piece.

A unique opportunity to acquire a jewel of 19th century Catalan liturgical silverwork.

Measurements: chalice 24.2 × 13.3 × 7.2 cm (9.53 × 5.24 × 2.83 in), paten 14 cm (5.51 in). Weight: total 591 g (chalice 414 g, paten 117 g)