A cased George V Irish sterling silver and enamel replica of the Ardagh chalice, Dublin 1917 by Robert Stweart of Glasgow

Of rounded form upon a conical foot, strap handles with applied bands of ‘Celtic knot’ decoration, with enamelled bosses throughout, each side with a circular boss with five applied collet set pastes. Engraved underneath “Charles France. Elizabeth Galbraith 1869 4^th August 1919”. Fully marked to the side. Housed in a fitted presentation case upon a wooden base, the case branded for Robert Stewart, together with an original receipt dated July 1919.

Height – 8.7 cm / 3.45 inches

Height on stand – 11.4 cm / 4.5 inches

Weight –251 grams / 8.07 ozt

Case length – 16.2 cm / 6.35 inches

Discovered in 1869 by two men digging for potatoes in a ring fort in Ardagh, County Limerick, Ireland. Dated to the 8^th century it is a masterpiece of dark ages Irish silversmithing. The original receipt accompanying this replica details the piece and its discovery.

Charles France (1839-1925) who married on the 4^th August 1869 Elizabeth Galbraith (1839-1927), Charles a solicitor who resided at 8,Hanover Terrace, Glasgow.