Monstrance

sterling silver (950/1000) hallmarked (the hallmark of the assay office with the head of Minerva and the sample); wood veneered and inlaid;
height 88.5 cm, width 32 cm, depth 20 cm
France, late 19th c. , base - 1st quarter of the 20th century.
Monstrance with a gloria in the form of a sun with rays from frayed bundles cut from sheet metal, with relief angel heads among clouds around the reservaculum and a bouquet of cereal ears and vines at the bottom. Host box round with hinged door edged with pearlwork. Gloria topped with a cross decorated with a burning heart. The monstrance is set on a heavily exalted hexagonal base with inlaid ornaments and crosses, stepping up to a granular shaft with a hexagonal nodus.