French Monstrance, XIX Century, in Solid Silver. Very well preserved

Spectacular French monstrance from the 19th century (year 1895), made of solid silver. It is a magnificent cult object which keeps all its original parts, and is also in very good condition. The silver has some contrasts over all the surface of the monstrance, which testify for the good quality of the metal. It is finely engraved with various designs, all of them related to the Eucharist: the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), the symbol of Christ, is depicted in a golden relief, at the foot of the monstrance and in the front side. In some other parts we can see bunches of grapes and wheat stalks (the wine and the bread), heads of angels and a triangle in the sky, which symbolizes God, at the rear. The upper part of the monstrance has a round hole with a glass door where the Sacred Host is housed. This part is surrounded by an impressive bunch of golden rays which come out of it, and which symbolize the light of Christ. On top of it we can see a fine and elegant Latin cross, finely engraved with floral motives. The round glass door is in perfect condition and so are the hinge and the lock. The contrasts belong to Philippe Picardat atelier, more precisely to the years between 1893 and 1902. The monstrance stands on a square pyramid-shape base, where we can see the above-mentioned Agnus Dei, the symbol of God, the grapes and the stalks. It sits on four claw-shaped legs, finely engraved in thorough detail. The rectangular band just over the legs is painted in a dull red color, and over the red band there is a frieze with a stylized floral design which repeats all around the base. The whole piece is beautifully hand-engraved, turning this monstrance into a magnificent antique and a fine example of sacred art, worthy of the best collection. Measurements: 510 mm height x 270 mm width (base). Weight 680 grames