Museum – Bronze Mortar With Pastillage – Saint Anthony Of Padua And The Child Jesus – France

Second half of the 18th century France – Montpellier – Languedoc Rare flared bronze mortar, decorated on both sides with the relief inscription “SIMON CASTEL CADET”, and decorated with medallions depicting Saint Anthony of Padua holding the Child Jesus, alternating with fleurs-de-lis. This type of composition, both religious and solemn, directly links the piece to the work of the saintitiers, founders of liturgical objects and bells, active in Montpellier in the 18th century. The brothers Simon and Just Castel, renowned founders of Montpellier and Pézenas, are documented between 1760 and 1782 for the casting of numerous bells: Saint-Jean-de-Buèges, Aniane, Notre-Dame-des-Grâces and La Coste. Simon, known as the younger, is mentioned in 1762 for the bell of the Récollets of Montpellier. Their production extended beyond bells, including cowbells, mortars and devotional bronzes, often cast in the same workshops. The appearance of this mortar confirms this kinship: molded relief typography, bell profile, regular pastillage and dark patina with green and brown highlights. Every detail recalls the hand of a church founder: controlled thickness, clean moldings, and decoration conceived as a votive object more than a utilitarian utensil. This mortar is thus a rare witness to the meeting between bell art and devotional art. It perfectly illustrates the tradition of the Languedoc saintiers, for whom the bell, the mortar and the prayer were part of the same casting gesture. Condition: beautiful old patina, wear and chips of use, without fragility. Dimensions: Height 9 cm Delivery: ALL DELIVERIES ARE MADE BY DHL EXPRESS ONLY.