Irish Silver Ardagh Chalice Full Size Hallmarked Dublin 1909...

Hammer

€5,300

Irish Silver Ardagh Chalice Full Size Hallmarked Dublin 1909 by Weir and Sons Finely Detailed Throughout Approximately 12 Inches High x 18 Inches Wide Excellent Original Condition
The Ardagh Chalice, one of the greatest treasures of the early Irish Church, was part of a hoard of 8th Century objects found in the late 19th century by a young man digging for potatoes near Ardagh, Co. Limerick. Used for dispensing Eucharistic wine during the celebration of Mass, the form of the chalice recalls late Roman tableware, but the method of construction is Irish.
The bowl and foot of The Ardagh Chalice are made of spun silver, the outer side of the bowl decorated with applied gold, silver, glass, amber and enamel ornament. The underside of the foot is also highly decorated and contains a polished rock crystal at the centre.
This example is silver throughout.
Representing a high point in early medieval craftsmanship, The Ardagh Chalice can be compared in this regard to the Tara Brooch and the Derrynaflan Paten.
The Sam Maguire Cup, a faithful model of The Ardagh Chalice, is made entirely of silver, with no gold, spun or gem adornment, just as with this Lot. In ways, this Lot can be considered a more faithful tribute to The Sam Maguire Cup than The Ardagh Chalice. Please see the final photograph shown, which illustrates the point.