Jan van Kessel the Elder (Antwerp 1626 - 1679), The Eucharist: a gold chalice, a host and two silver candelabras in a stone nich

Jan van Kessel the Elder (Antwerp 1626 - 1679), The Eucharist: a gold chalice, a host and two silver candelabras in a stone niche, surrounded with bunches of grapes and corn, and a garland of roses, Morning Glory, Parrot tulips and other flowers, together with butterflies and other insects

inscribed centre: EGO SVM PANIS/ VIVVS. oil on panel, stamped on the reverse with the panel maker's mark of François de Bout, who became a Master in the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1637/8. 36.9 by 27.3 cm. Est. 12,000—18,000 EUR

NOTE: Representations of the Eucharist such as this are rare in Van Kessel's oeuvre; another example was with Rafael Valls, London, in 1999.

Sotheby's. Old Master paintings. 05 May 09. Amsterdam www.sothebys.com Photo courtesy Sotheby's