Chalice; Spain, 18th century.

Chalice; Spain, 18th century.
Silver.
With punches.
Weight: 389 g.
Measurements: 21 x 13 x 13 cm.
Chalice made within a late Baroque style, specifically following the criteria of the refined Baroque, based on the expression of the structure and the disornamentation, limiting the ornamentation to the moldings that highlight the difference between each of the parts of the structure, a purely classical criterion typical of the Baroque, but that will be especially evident in its refined aspect. Thus, we see a clean structure, very well thought out, clearly classical except for the knot of the shaft structure that makes up the shaft. This element is the only one that speaks to us of the transition towards rococo, since the rest of the piece is still faithfully linked to baroque models. This knot is based on the classic vase shape typical of the baroque chalice, but nevertheless its profile begins to take a sinuous path, advancing towards what will be the knot par excellence of the rococo: the inverted pear. However, it is still divided by horizontal striations, while in the Rococo period it will be a unitary knot. Otherwise, we see a succession of horizontal layers marked by moldings and grooves, ranging from the circular foot, with cupped step and flared neck, through the various elements of the shaft structure (convex lower neck, knot, upper baluster and another neck) to reach the cup, with a differentiated sub-cup as is common in the Baroque period, through a smooth molding decorated with two grooves. The inside of the cup is gilded, and this finish also covers the upper part on the outside, following the horizontal stratification.