Pair of Italian silver holy water stoups, Milan, 1812 - 1872

Height x width x depth: 19 x 10 x 3.5 cm. Weight: 55 g.

The embossed and chiselled upper part depicts a scene from the New Testament, known iconographically as "Jesus drinking the cup". The episode takes place in the Garden of Olives, when Jesus, troubled by the imminent Passion, invokes the Father to help him drink the bitter cup that awaits him. Captured in this font is the moment when Christ, afflicted, is supported by an angel, while a second angel descends from Heaven to hand him the chalice, a symbol of divine help in fulfilling his earthly mission. The Holy Spirit is represented as the rays of the sun coming out of the clouds and illuminating the central figures. The scene is framed by shells and floral elements. The basin is embossed and chiselled with geometric and plant elements.