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Chinese Silver Communion Chalice
Chased Silver Communion Chalice
China
18th-19th century
height: 20cm, diameter of base: 11cm, diameter of cup: 6.4cm, weight: 268g
This rare communion chalice is of solid silver with a gilded (gold-plated) interior. The circular, domed base is chased with a double row of acanthus leaves. The baluster-form stem includes a central, pear-shaped knob chased with typically Chinese scrolling flower work above a single row of acanthus leaves and below a single row of finely executed lotus petals. The stem also incorporates two solid rings with serrated edging.
The stem leads to an inverted bell-shaped cup. The outside rim of the cup has a fine gilded border that matches the gilded interior.
Most probably the chalice was made to service a Christian community in China, rather than for export. It was acquired some years ago by the previous owner in Tianjin, China. There has long been a significant local Christian population in Tianjin, and the Jesuits had an early presence in the city. (Data from 1950 recorded a local Catholic population of approximately 50,000.)
Chinese silver made for Christian purposes is extremely rare but examples do exist. Levenson (2007, p. 283) illustrates for example a silver monstrance that dates to seventeenth century Macau.
The chalice has a fine patina and ample evidence of age. There are no maker’s marks. It is in excellent condition.
References
Levenson. J. (ed), Encompassing the Globe: Portugal and the World in the 16th and 17th Centuries, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, 2007.
Provenance
European art market
Inventory no.: 2147
SOLD