19th Century French Silver and Bronze Monstrance

CA$2,595.00

This striking 19th-century French monstrance is an wonderful example of ecclesiastical metalwork, featuring a solid silver upper half—fully hallmarked and acid-tested—and a silvered bronze architectural base. Designed for the display of the consecrated host, the piece combines devotional symbolism with the technical precision characteristic of French liturgical objects from the mid-to-late 1800s.

⭐ Materials & Construction

Solid Silver Upper Half

The radiating sunburst, housing ring, and cross finial are crafted in solid silver, confirmed by:

  • French hallmark punchmarks (visible in the rays)

  • Acid test verification

  • Distinctive fabrication consistent with hand-wrought 19th-century liturgical silver

The silver surfaces retain a beautiful soft patination, adding depth without obscuring detail.

Silvered Bronze Base

The lower half—including the stepped plinth, column, and paw-foot supports—is made of finely cast bronze, finished with a thick silver-plated surface. The casting quality is crisp, and the plating remains mostly intact with subtle age wear.

⭐ Design Details

Radiant Sunburst Gloria

The circular glory is formed from layered silver rays, alternating in length to create dramatic depth and light refraction.

  • A hinged glass reliquary door opens smoothly and closes securely.

  • The circular luna aperture is ready to house a host or relic.

Cloud and Scrollwork Cartouche

The central node below the glass window features raised swirling cloud motifs, a symbol of divine presence.

Symbolic Base with Agnus Dei

The front of the plinth is decorated with a deeply cast Agnus Dei—the Lamb of God—surrounded by sunburst rays, representing sacrifice and redemption.

Architectural Plinth & Paw Feet

  • Tiered square base with floral cartouches

  • Engraved foliate scrolls

  • Bold lion-paw feet with exceptional modeling

  • Stable and substantial, ensuring proper altar presence

⭐ Dimensions

19”H x 7”W x 4.5”D

⭐ Condition

  • Silver upper section: good condition with light expected patina

  • Glass reliquary door: opens and closes properly

  • Silvered bronze base: minor wear to plating consistent with age

  • structurally sound and well-balanced

  • No major dents, splits, or losses

An impressively preserved example for its age. The monstrance dates approximately to the mid-19th century, likely circa 1850–1880, produced in a French ecclesiastical metalworking atelier serving regional churches.

Total Weight of item: 1,441 grams

This striking 19th-century French monstrance is an wonderful example of ecclesiastical metalwork, featuring a solid silver upper half—fully hallmarked and acid-tested—and a silvered bronze architectural base. Designed for the display of the consecrated host, the piece combines devotional symbolism with the technical precision characteristic of French liturgical objects from the mid-to-late 1800s.

⭐ Materials & Construction

Solid Silver Upper Half

The radiating sunburst, housing ring, and cross finial are crafted in solid silver, confirmed by:

  • French hallmark punchmarks (visible in the rays)

  • Acid test verification

  • Distinctive fabrication consistent with hand-wrought 19th-century liturgical silver

The silver surfaces retain a beautiful soft patination, adding depth without obscuring detail.

Silvered Bronze Base

The lower half—including the stepped plinth, column, and paw-foot supports—is made of finely cast bronze, finished with a thick silver-plated surface. The casting quality is crisp, and the plating remains mostly intact with subtle age wear.

⭐ Design Details

Radiant Sunburst Gloria

The circular glory is formed from layered silver rays, alternating in length to create dramatic depth and light refraction.

  • A hinged glass reliquary door opens smoothly and closes securely.

  • The circular luna aperture is ready to house a host or relic.

Cloud and Scrollwork Cartouche

The central node below the glass window features raised swirling cloud motifs, a symbol of divine presence.

Symbolic Base with Agnus Dei

The front of the plinth is decorated with a deeply cast Agnus Dei—the Lamb of God—surrounded by sunburst rays, representing sacrifice and redemption.

Architectural Plinth & Paw Feet

  • Tiered square base with floral cartouches

  • Engraved foliate scrolls

  • Bold lion-paw feet with exceptional modeling

  • Stable and substantial, ensuring proper altar presence

⭐ Dimensions

19”H x 7”W x 4.5”D

⭐ Condition

  • Silver upper section: good condition with light expected patina

  • Glass reliquary door: opens and closes properly

  • Silvered bronze base: minor wear to plating consistent with age

  • structurally sound and well-balanced

  • No major dents, splits, or losses

An impressively preserved example for its age. The monstrance dates approximately to the mid-19th century, likely circa 1850–1880, produced in a French ecclesiastical metalworking atelier serving regional churches.

Total Weight of item: 1,441 grams