Stunning British sterling silver ecclesiastical chalice, 11 ⅞ inches high x 7 ½ inches Diameter (bowl) x 5 ⅝ inches diameter (foot), made by Zachariah Barraclough & Sons, Leeds / London, 1927. The wide bowl, which has been raised from a single round sheet of silver with no seams, rests on a tapering narrow conical stem having two reticulated slightly flattened round (fruiting vine) knops, a large one (2 ⅜ inches diameter) near the bowl and a smaller one (2 inches diameter) near the domed foot which also has been fashioned from a single piece of round silver with no seams. The exterior surface is planished / hand hammered allover except on the hand chased reticulated knops.
There are the following impressed touchmarks / maker’s marks / hallmarks near the bowl edge: 1 – “J.H.B” over “H.B” into a trefoil cartouche denotes makers & retailers Zachariah Barraclough / & Sons Ltd. 2 – Lion passant denotes sterling silver. 3 – Leopards head is the London town mark. 4 – “M” in triple lobed bottom cartouche with canted top corners year code for 1927
The bottom of the foot near the edge is impressed: “Z BARRACLOUGH & SONS / LEEDS”
Also just below the above are light scratch marks that read: “cuns / B323 / WB” WB” / ZbH”
An example of the finest English craftsmanship near the first quarter of the 20th century. The plannished surface breaks up the light and reflects it in small patches giving the reflection a shimmering almost impressionistic appearance.
CONDITION: Excellent vintage condition. There are two or three fairly long scratches on the domed foot that are noticeable on close inspection only.
