A TURQUOISE-ENCRUSTED NIELLOED SILVER LITURGICAL WINE CHALICE
Possibly Georgia, Caucasian Ottoman Provinces, 19th century

Of typical conical shape with truncated end, resting on a slim dome-shaped base supported by three later-added faceted black glass beads, rising to an everted bulging rim surmounted by a dome-shaped lid with a green glass bead as finial, the ring on the stem and bulging rim embellished with niello floral decorations and fretwork bands typical of Georgian and Russian silverware, encrusted with cabochon turquoise beads, the base with applied black-enamelled silver Christian star-like decorations enhanced with drop-shaped turquoise beads in the centre, the interior parcel-gilt, the shape and patterns typical of Caucasian Christian liturgical vessels, 26.5cm high, 302GR.