Antique Silver Gilt Monstrance. Good condition. France, Circa 1850

Amazing antique gold-plated solid-silver monstrance in good condition, made in France circa 1850. This striking religious silversmith piece is entirely made of solid silver and looks gorgeous, as we can see in the images. The monstrance preserves the original lunette, the central glass part designed to store and exhibit the consecrated host. This article bears hallmarks in all its parts, one of them corresponding to the Parisian silversmith Jacob Brigaud (active between 1838 and 1861). The gold-plated finish that covers the silver remains in fine condition and provides the monstrance with a warm and sumptuous shade. The square base stands on four claw-shaped legs and is pyramidal in shape. Each side is decorated with an embossed motif, all of them related with the catholic liturgy. We can see the triangle in the sky that identifies God, the Lamb of God (symbol of Jesus Christ) and vines with bunches of grapes (symbolizing the Eucharistic wine). Over the base, the stem is embellished with different nodes. The main one shows two lovely cherubs heads over which a sheaf of wheat and vines open, just under the top of the monstrance. This part is called sun and is the most important and remarkable of all the piece. It is bound to host and exhibit the consecrated host. It is stored inside the lunette, a removable glass compartment located in the center of the sun. The lunette of this monstrance is the original one and remains in perfect condition. It is framed by embossed cherubs heads, similar to those in the main node. The lunette is surrounded by many silver sunrays which embellish and enhance the Body of Christ. At the top of the monstrance, a simple Latin cross crowns the piece. In great condition and very beautiful, this antique gold-plated solid-silver monstrance is a real jewel of religious precious-metal craftwork. Measurements: Base: Width: 6.4 in / 1 cm. Depth: 4.8 in / 12 cm. Total Width: 11.2 in / 55 cm. Total Height: 22 in / 55 cm. Weight: 815 Grms