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Antique Monstrance In Gilt Silver, 18k Gold, Diamonds And Sapphires. France, 19th Century
Important and spectacular monumental monstrance made in gilded silver, with 18K gold applications, natural diamonds and natural sapphires. French piece from the 19th century intended for export, identified by the Mercury head hallmark, used in France for silver pieces manufactured for foreign trade. This is a monstrance of enormous visual presence, both because of its important dimensions and the extraordinary ornamental richness of the entire ensemble. A piece clearly conceived for major liturgical display and intended to become immediately the visual centre of the altar where it is placed.
A large part of the value of this monstrance corresponds to its own weight in precious metals. The piece incorporates 18K gold mounts with an exact total weight of 50 grams, including the natural diamonds and sapphires, which are already of a significant size, distributed between the mount of the upper cross and the mount of the lunette ring. To this must be added the value of the diamonds themselves, whose interest naturally goes beyond the mere weight of the material. In addition, the monstrance has a total weight of over 1,400 grams in silver, so, at today’s precious metal prices, a very important part of its value corresponds directly to the material richness of the noble metals from which it is made.
The structure follows the classical sunburst monstrance model, developing an impressive radial ensemble of rays around the central luna. The visual effect is spectacular. The combination between the richness of the gilding, the depth of the reliefs and the powerful development of the rays creates a particularly luminous and solemn image, intended to visually enhance the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The monstrance immediately conveys a sensation of ceremonial magnificence and grand liturgical splendour, something increasingly difficult to find in complete and usable antique pieces.
The gilded silver work presents a very high level of execution, with abundant decoration of scrolls, vegetal elements, flowers, grape clusters and motifs inspired by French Baroque and Neo-Gothic liturgical art. The entire piece maintains extraordinary ornamental continuity from the base to the upper cross, avoiding empty areas and generating a constant sensation of visual richness. The quality of the reliefs and the vividness of the gilding make the monstrance gain even greater presence when light strikes its surfaces, producing particularly attractive reflections during worship and adoration.
The base, with lobed profile and strong volumetric development, incorporates three large circular medallions perfectly integrated within the structure. Each of them develops an important iconographic programme related to the Passion of Christ. One shows a central cross of elegant execution. Another represents the Instruments of the Passion, with the ladder, spear and sponge crossed in symbolic composition. The third incorporates the Nails of Christ surrounded by the Crown of Thorns. All this iconography appears perfectly integrated within a rich vegetal decoration of great dynamism, formed by scrolls, leaves, grape clusters and Eucharistic elements that provide depth and movement to the ensemble without excessively overloading it.
The stem develops an especially elegant and proportioned structure, alternating smooth areas with chased sections and geometric decorations that capture light very effectively. The large central knop, of polygonal configuration, provides visual solidity and also serves as an important ornamental element thanks to its decorated cartouches and small vegetal reliefs. The transition towards the sunburst is achieved through pierced elements and scrolls that provide lightness and aesthetic continuity, maintaining perfect harmony with the rest of the monstrance.
At the centre is the large luna, completely functional and prepared for 6.5 cm hosts, an important size that allows a particularly solemn and visual exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Surrounding the luna appears a magnificent ring made in 18K gold set with natural diamonds of notable presence, creating an extraordinarily elegant contrast between the gilded silver structure and the brilliance of the gold and precious stones.
The large upper cross constitutes another of the most spectacular points of the piece. Also made in 18K gold, it is decorated with natural diamonds and finished with four square cut natural sapphires on the ends, in addition to a larger central diamond. This finial provides exceptional visual richness and functions almost as a jewel integrated within the monstrance itself, elevating even further the aesthetic and material category of the ensemble. These gold applications probably correspond to a later intervention already well advanced in the life of the piece, something relatively common in important monstrances that continued to be used and enriched over time without altering their original structure.
The total weight reaches 1,425 grams, reinforcing even more the sensation of solidity and overall quality. This is an important monstrance not only visually, but also materially, where the intrinsic value of the gilded silver, the 18K gold and the precious stones has real economic significance within the ensemble.
The state of preservation is very good. The gilding retains a magnificent overall presence, the structural elements remain firm and without deformations, and all gold and gemstone applications remain perfectly integrated. The luna functions correctly and the monstrance is completely ready for immediate liturgical use.
Visually we are facing a truly impressive piece, one of those that completely transforms the space where it is placed. Its monumental size, extraordinary ornamental richness and the powerful luminous effect of its rays give it exceptional scenic presence, far superior to that of many antique monstrances commonly found on the market.
Monstrances of this level appear less and less frequently, especially complete, usable and with such a rich and solemn appearance. A piece intended both for important liturgical use and for a major sacred art collection, capable of immediately elevating the patrimony and visual presence of any parish, chapel or specialised collection.
The later 18K gold applications with diamonds and sapphires currently form part of the image and visual personality of the monstrance. Nevertheless, there is the possibility of acquiring the piece without these elements, thus allowing adjustment of the final price. For further information regarding this option, please enquire.
Measurements: total height 65 cm (25.59 in); width across the rays 33 cm (13 in); base 20 cm (7.87 in). Luna for 6.5 cm hosts (2.56 in). Weight: 1,425 g. (0.05 oz.)
A large part of the value of this monstrance corresponds to its own weight in precious metals. The piece incorporates 18K gold mounts with an exact total weight of 50 grams, including the natural diamonds and sapphires, which are already of a significant size, distributed between the mount of the upper cross and the mount of the lunette ring. To this must be added the value of the diamonds themselves, whose interest naturally goes beyond the mere weight of the material. In addition, the monstrance has a total weight of over 1,400 grams in silver, so, at today’s precious metal prices, a very important part of its value corresponds directly to the material richness of the noble metals from which it is made.
The structure follows the classical sunburst monstrance model, developing an impressive radial ensemble of rays around the central luna. The visual effect is spectacular. The combination between the richness of the gilding, the depth of the reliefs and the powerful development of the rays creates a particularly luminous and solemn image, intended to visually enhance the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The monstrance immediately conveys a sensation of ceremonial magnificence and grand liturgical splendour, something increasingly difficult to find in complete and usable antique pieces.
The gilded silver work presents a very high level of execution, with abundant decoration of scrolls, vegetal elements, flowers, grape clusters and motifs inspired by French Baroque and Neo-Gothic liturgical art. The entire piece maintains extraordinary ornamental continuity from the base to the upper cross, avoiding empty areas and generating a constant sensation of visual richness. The quality of the reliefs and the vividness of the gilding make the monstrance gain even greater presence when light strikes its surfaces, producing particularly attractive reflections during worship and adoration.
The base, with lobed profile and strong volumetric development, incorporates three large circular medallions perfectly integrated within the structure. Each of them develops an important iconographic programme related to the Passion of Christ. One shows a central cross of elegant execution. Another represents the Instruments of the Passion, with the ladder, spear and sponge crossed in symbolic composition. The third incorporates the Nails of Christ surrounded by the Crown of Thorns. All this iconography appears perfectly integrated within a rich vegetal decoration of great dynamism, formed by scrolls, leaves, grape clusters and Eucharistic elements that provide depth and movement to the ensemble without excessively overloading it.
The stem develops an especially elegant and proportioned structure, alternating smooth areas with chased sections and geometric decorations that capture light very effectively. The large central knop, of polygonal configuration, provides visual solidity and also serves as an important ornamental element thanks to its decorated cartouches and small vegetal reliefs. The transition towards the sunburst is achieved through pierced elements and scrolls that provide lightness and aesthetic continuity, maintaining perfect harmony with the rest of the monstrance.
At the centre is the large luna, completely functional and prepared for 6.5 cm hosts, an important size that allows a particularly solemn and visual exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Surrounding the luna appears a magnificent ring made in 18K gold set with natural diamonds of notable presence, creating an extraordinarily elegant contrast between the gilded silver structure and the brilliance of the gold and precious stones.
The large upper cross constitutes another of the most spectacular points of the piece. Also made in 18K gold, it is decorated with natural diamonds and finished with four square cut natural sapphires on the ends, in addition to a larger central diamond. This finial provides exceptional visual richness and functions almost as a jewel integrated within the monstrance itself, elevating even further the aesthetic and material category of the ensemble. These gold applications probably correspond to a later intervention already well advanced in the life of the piece, something relatively common in important monstrances that continued to be used and enriched over time without altering their original structure.
The total weight reaches 1,425 grams, reinforcing even more the sensation of solidity and overall quality. This is an important monstrance not only visually, but also materially, where the intrinsic value of the gilded silver, the 18K gold and the precious stones has real economic significance within the ensemble.
The state of preservation is very good. The gilding retains a magnificent overall presence, the structural elements remain firm and without deformations, and all gold and gemstone applications remain perfectly integrated. The luna functions correctly and the monstrance is completely ready for immediate liturgical use.
Visually we are facing a truly impressive piece, one of those that completely transforms the space where it is placed. Its monumental size, extraordinary ornamental richness and the powerful luminous effect of its rays give it exceptional scenic presence, far superior to that of many antique monstrances commonly found on the market.
Monstrances of this level appear less and less frequently, especially complete, usable and with such a rich and solemn appearance. A piece intended both for important liturgical use and for a major sacred art collection, capable of immediately elevating the patrimony and visual presence of any parish, chapel or specialised collection.
The later 18K gold applications with diamonds and sapphires currently form part of the image and visual personality of the monstrance. Nevertheless, there is the possibility of acquiring the piece without these elements, thus allowing adjustment of the final price. For further information regarding this option, please enquire.
Measurements: total height 65 cm (25.59 in); width across the rays 33 cm (13 in); base 20 cm (7.87 in). Luna for 6.5 cm hosts (2.56 in). Weight: 1,425 g. (0.05 oz.)
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