Silver and silver-gilt chalice - Lot 11

Silver and silver-gilt chalice A parcel-gilt silver chalice Italy, circa 1475-1480 H. 27.5 cm Pds 285 g. Provenance: Christie's London, December 17, 2020, lot 202 ("property of a gentleman") ; Kenneth Davis Works of Art, London; Private Collection, Paris. The conical bowl, with its gilded interior and neckline, rests on a stem comprising two gilded silver rings, octagonal in cross-section, decorated with geometric motifs framing a large bow. The latter, in gilded silver, is decorated with acanthus leaves on an amatized background, with eight protruding silver medallions engraved with the symbols of the evangelists: Saint Luke, Saint John (twice), Saint Matthew, and four half-body portraits of saints (one decapitated). The gilded silver pedestal features a tracery-matis motif of flowering stems and foliate scrolls, with four applied silver medallions depicting the Virgin of Mercy, Christ on the Cross, Saint Martha and a holy bishop. The eight-sided concave rim is decorated on the edge with a pearl braid.