495. Argentinian silver chalice, 1887.

Lot description

Silver, with details in gilt, embossed and engraved silver, depicting the iconography of the Arma Christi.
The goblet depicts some of the symbols of the Passion of Christ, such as the column where Jesus was ordered to be scourged, the ladder used to descend the body of Jesus, a hand that refers to the priest of the religious tribunal who struck Jesus after considering him a blasphemer and finally a reed with a sponge with which they tried to alleviate Christ's thirst together with the spear of the centurion Longinus with which he inflicted five wounds on Jesus Christ's side. The knot of the chalice represents the scourge or whip with which Jesus Christ received the thirty-nine lashes, a cock that represents the one that crowed after the third time St. Peter denied Jesus, a tankard referring to the jar containing the gall and vinegar that Jesus was given to drink and the three dice used by the soldiers to cast lots for the garments of Jesus. Finally, the foot depicts tongs and a hammer that refer to the act of nailing Christ to the Cross and the removal of his body, and finally, the crown of thorns with the three nails used in the crucifixion.
This chalice belonged to the Argentinian bishop Marcolino del Carmelo Benavente (1845 - 1910).
26.5 x 13.5 cm diam. 646 gr. (con tornillería).