Precious and Antique French Solid Silver Monstrance, XIX Century.

Wonderful monstrance made entirely of solid silver. This valuable sacred art piece was made in France in the 19th century and is in quite good condition. The monstrance has hallmarks at several places that guarantee the origin and quality of the noble metal it is made of. The monstrance retains the luna, the capsule where the consecrated communion wafer is kept, also made of silver and that is intended to protect and display the Blessed Sacrament. The top of this beautiful monstrance is decorated in the shape of a sun emitting its rays to all sides. The rays are different in length and there are a lot of them, embellishing the piece with their presence. Two of them are not complete and few have faults and repairs. The monstrance is crowned by a Latin cross and the lunette is surrounded by a golden circular frame engraved with a pattern of small spheres. Around this frame and separating it from the rays there is a star-shaped piece and that reminds us of the Star of David. The shaft or rod that connects the sun with his foot also carries a great job of engraving. The base is decorated with bunches of grapes and vine leaves (symbol of the blood of Christ). The base is embellished with a detailed baroque-inspired decoration, full of volutes and decorative moldings, and at the front it bears a gilded silver piece depicting the Agnus Dei or Lamb of Christ. At the back there is a triangle with three symbols inside that represents God as the Holy Trinity. The monstrance has Minerva goddess hallmarks in several places Measurements: Sun Width: 32 cm. / 12.6 inches - Base width: 21 cm / 8.26 inches - Height: 60 cm. / 13.6 inches. Weight 1300 grams