Malachite and Turquoise Communion Chalice with Filigree Work

• Chalice - A chalice is a large cup or goblet that is used in religious ceremonies, particularly in Christian liturgical traditions. It is typically made of precious metal such as gold or silver, and is used to hold wine during the Eucharist, which is the central sacrament of the Christian Church. The chalice is also called the "cup of salvation" and is a symbol of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
  
  In the Christian tradition, the chalice is a symbol of the blood of Jesus Christ, which is offered to the faithful as a means of grace and salvation. The chalice is used to hold the wine that is consecrated during the Eucharist and is considered to be a sacred object.
  
  In the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist, it's passed around to the faithful, and the believer drinks from it to partake in the sacrament. Chalices are also used in other liturgical celebrations such as baptism, confirmation and anointing of the sick.
  
  Chalices come in different shapes and sizes, from simple cups to highly ornate and decorative vessels, some of them are adorned with precious stones and intricate engravings. Chalices can also be used for other purposes, such as for holding holy water for baptism, or for the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday.
• Sterling Silver - Sterling silver is a mixture of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% of another metal, usually copper. Fine silver is 99.9% pure silver, and is relatively soft and the addition of the very small amount of copper gives the metal enough strength and hardness to be worked into jewellery, decorative and household objects.
• Malachite - Malachite is bright copper-green coloured stone with concentric layers which displays distinct contrasting veinings. It has been valued in the past for making or decorating small precious objects such as clocks, jewellery, dishes and so. In the Orient it was used for snuff bottles and in Russia and was favoured by the Faberge workshop. larger pieces were used for table tops.
  
  The principal source of supply was Russia but it is to be found in other regions such as Southern Africa, Mexico, Australia and France.
  
  Malachite glass is a manufactured material that was intended to resemble malachite, but often bears more resemblance to a veined coloured marble due to its lower gloss finish and lack of concentric layers. Malachite glass was manufactured by many glassworks in the 19th century including Loetz in Austria and others in Bohemia and Davidson's Greener's and Sowerby in north eastern England.
  
  It was particularly used for scent bottles, bowls, and small vases often decorated with nymphs.
  
  Malachite glass has been manufactured continuously since the late nineteenth century, most is unmarked and it is difficult to distinguish the age or manufacturer of most commercial pieces.
• Filigree Work - Decorative Arts - Delicate decorations using fine threads of ceramics, glass or other materials to give a lace-like effect, attached together and applied as an ornament.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• religious objects, Christian
  • altar vases, chalices, ewers and ciborium 50
  • communion and sacrament items 36