A Victorian Neo-gothic Silver-gilt (vermeil) Monstrance – George Fox - London, 1887

A Victorian Neo-Gothic silver-gilt (vermeil) monstrance – George Fox - London, 1887

An elegant and important Neo-Gothic style monstrance crafted in sterling silver (925/1000 purity) and entirely silver-gilt. This masterful piece of late 19th-century British silversmithing was officially assayed in London in 1887, as attested by its complete set of hallmarks (including the lion passant, the leopard's head, the letter-date "M", and the duty mark featuring Queen Victoria's profile).

Description

George Fox (London): A Master of Historical Revival
The maker's mark "GF" accompanied by a star designates the workshop of George Fox, a member of an illustrious dynasty of London silversmiths. Highly renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship, the Fox family specialized during the 19th century in creating high-end, historically inspired medieval and Gothic pieces for the high clergy and the aristocracy. Their mark guarantees a refined artistic execution, far superior to the standard catalog productions of the Victorian era.

A Miniature Cathedral of Remarkable Verticality


The architecture of this piece faithfully reproduces the Gothic vocabulary: soaring pinnacles, trefoil arches, pierced gables, and an architectural gallery framing the lunette designed to hold the consecrated host. The composition is enriched with numerous small statuettes depicting adoring angels as well as several figures of saints and bishops, imbuing the entire piece with a remarkable verticality. The polylobed base with six lobes, finely engraved with stylized botanical motifs, supports a stem adorned with embossed quatrefoils. The radiant sunburst, entirely gilded, is beautifully highlighted by a highly intricate architectural setting, bearing witness to the Neo-Gothic revival that marked English ecclesiastical metalwork during the second half of the 19th century.

The quality of execution is outstanding, featuring very fine chasing, harmonious proportions, and an original gilding that retains a beautiful brilliance.

Condition:

Excellent condition. The original gilding is very well preserved, with only slight signs of wear from use. The glass elements and architectural details are intact.

A high-quality piece that perfectly illustrates the refinement of late 19th-century English liturgical silverwork. Weight of 3,700 grams.