Connaught Antiques Musical Instruments

An impressively large and well detailed French late 19th century architectural model of a Gothic inspired transept-spire or church pinnacle. This Neo Gothic decorative finial is han...

Antique Gothic Revival harp by Erard French, c. 1880 Height 178cm, width 54cm, depth 91cm Of typical form by the famed instrument maker Érard. ...

A stunning pair of very fine quality French Neo-Gothic gilt metal church reliquaries. circa 1860s Most impressive objets d’art, born in France in the second half of the 19th century, most likely Parisian gilded bronze and brass ormolu work, exceptionally executed sculptural form, the exquisitely detailed architectural cathedral shaped case having a removable pointed steeple roof with cross finial, opening to relic display case surrounded on all sides by original glazed glass panes, stepped base, rising on disc feet. Signed, stamped by maker / bronzier "BC" (unknown) model "5096" and other faint marks to lid interiors. Additional photos available upon request Dimensions: (approx) 14.75" High, 6.75" Wide, 6.75" Deep; 13.25 lbs total History: A reliquary (also referred to as a shrine, by the French term châsse or monstrance) is a container for important religious relics. The earliest reliquaries were essentially boxes, either simply box-shaped or based on an architectural design, taking the form of a model of a church with a pitched roof. These latter are known by the French term chasse, and typical examples from the 12th to 14th century have wooden frameworks with gilt-copper plaques nailed on, decorated in champlevé enamel. Limoges was the largest production centre; NB the English usage differs from that of the French châsse, which denotes large size rather than shape. Relics of the True Cross became very popular from the 9th century onward and were housed in magnificent gold and silver cross-shaped reliquaries decorated with enamels and precious stones. From about the end of the 10th century, reliquaries in the shape of the relics they housed also became popular; hence, for instance, the skull of Pope Alexander I was housed in a head-shaped reliquary. Similarly, the bones of saints were often housed in reliquaries that recalled the shape of the original body part, such as an arm or a foot. A philatory is a transparent reliquary designed to contain and exhibit the bones and relics of saints. This style of reliquary has a viewing portal to view the relic inside. The feretrum was a medieval form of reliquary or shrine containing the sacred effigies and relics of a saint. During the later Middle Ages, the monstrance form, primarily used for consecrated hosts, was sometimes used for reliquaries. These housed the relic in a rock crystal, or glass capsule mounted on a column above a base, enabling the relic to be displayed to the faithful. Reliquaries in the form of large pieces of metalwork jewellery also appeared around this time, housing tiny relics such as pieces of the Holy Thorn, notably the Holy Thorn Reliquary now in the British Museum. Condition: Superb museum quality examples, in excellent original unrestored antique condition with beautifully aged patina. Wear consistent with age and use. Heavily patinated - scattered oxidation. Overall wonderful examples. Typically reliquaries were not sold in pairs, so to find a matching pair such as this is exceptionally rare. Worldwide shipping available Local pickup available near Dallas, Texas Additional: We here at Lynx Hollow Antiques love religious antiques, from Christian tabernacles, Catholic altarpiece, life-size Buddhist temple sculptures, Hindu votive offerings, 16th century Islamic mosque architectural salvaged windows...

Good size and impressive make, Gothic church altar crucifix. This ornate and all hand-crafted, bronze table crucifix comes with a good quality made a...

Unique, practical and highly decorative seat / hall bench with quality carvings. This beautifully carved and striking stool is surrounded by a number of very well designed and execu...

A neo-gothic mid-19th century library plan chest having an arrangement of eleven short and three long drawers to one side, the other side with three short drawers above gothic style linen fold panelling, centred with the carved monogram ‘HP’, further matching panelling to the sides. A stunning plan chest of good propartions and with a nice patina. Provenance: Sherborne School, an independent school in north-west Dorset, England, established in 1550. Among the ‘Old Shirburnians’ are for example the writer John Cowper Powys, the actors Jeremy Irons und Charlie Cox, Chris Martin, leadsinger of the band Coldplay as well as Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani...

A monumental antique Victorian Gothic Revival carved oak church altar / synagogue lectern / book stand podium. Hand-crafted in the 19th century, having a sloped book-rest to the top...

A Gothic Revival reliquary. Circa late 19th / early 20th century. Made of solid oak with fine carving. Reliquaries have been used to store relics since the Middle Ages. In sacred architecture they are often located behind the main altar in the chancel. In addition to classical, often church-like caskets, anthropomorphic, so-called "speaking" reliquaries were also made, which already inform the viewer about their contents through their own design. Mostly they were made of precious metals and decorated with rich sculptural ornaments or precious stones. One of the most famous examples of reliquaries is the Epiphany shrine of Nicholas of Verdun from the late 12th or early 13th century in Cologne Cathedral. The reliquary offered here has an architectural structure with a rectangular ground plan. The three-sided glazed box with a dormer roof rests on a plinth. A total of 8 columns of Corinthian order form the arcades which are crowned on both long sides by 3 lancets each and enclose the lancet windows...

19th Century French gothic cathedral giltwood & glass reliquary / vitrine France, mid-19th century. A reliquary is a container for the display an...

Rare Gothic bench with top quality carved, church letter panel and more. This beautifully hand carved, oak church bench from the early 1900s is in ...

Stunning 19th century bronze and brass church altar candle holder. This rare and decorative Gothic Style candlestick is both a joy to look at and practical to use. This altar piece has a tripod base of sculpted, gilt bronze chimeras...

Wonderful gilded metal saint statue with beautiful expression. France, circa 1880-1900. Weathered. Measurements include the wooden base.