Large European Antique Carved Painted Silver Gilt Religious Altar Niche

A magnificent large rare and most impressive Italian baldachin tabernacle altar niche / altarpiece. circa 1800 Exquisitely hand-crafted in Italy in the early 19th century, this extraordinary one of kind masterpiece originally a prominent altarpiece fixture in a Catholic church, typically displaying a Santo or Jesus altar figure statue inside. Exceptionally executed throughout, parcel gilt polychrome painted, gessoed and carved wood two-piece architectural baldachin form, with dome top vaulted ceiling, raised on eight fluted Corinthian columns, over a shaped platform base with elaborate molded frieze, further raised on integral bracket risers in marbleized faux marble paint decorated finish. Breathtaking visually striking aesthetic, very fine quality craftsmanship, lavishly decorated with extraordinary detail throughout, even the unseen interior of the dome profusely decorated with the most intricate painstaking hand applied 24k gold leaf ornamentation, the exterior in brillant gilded finish, enhanced by beautifully aged warm rich dark patina! Dimensions: (approx) 45" Tall, 26.5" Wide, 26.5" Deep *Additional photos available upon request* Condition Report: A superb museum quality example, in overall very good antique condition, especially considering its 200 years old. Attractive appearance, with nicely aged distressed patina, authentic antique character and charm throughout, including scattered nicks, chips, losses, exposed gesso, fading, acrecetions, possible old touchups and restorations, all expected wear commensurate with age, use, handling and exposure. Overall strong, sturdy, stable, structurally sound. The floral dome painting likely later. Central hole and discoloration where altar figure was once placed. Overall a truly remarkable work of art! -- We here at Lynx Hollow Antiques absolutely love decorating with religious antiques and have a special place in our heart for them. We have an extensive collection from around the world, spanning all regions and religions, including old world European Baroque period altarpiece, Spanish Colonial altar table, Roman Empire reliquary monstrance, architectural salvaged building elements, church architecture model, apprentice prototype, baptismal font, sacristy liturgical items, sanctuary vessel, vestment chest, monastery refectory table, Gothic court cupboard...

A stunning antique Italian Baroque style silvered metal gilded wood monstrance reliquary. circa 1770-1820 Handmade in Italy in the late 18th / early 19th century, commissioned by the church to display an important religious relic, sculptural painted wood form, mounted with decorative silver repousse metal facing, open oval window where the philatory relic was once housed, rising on a gold gilt painted shaped plinth base. Dimensions: (approx) 17" High, 8" Wide, 5" Deep, 1.25lbs History: Reliquaries (also referred to as a shrine or châsse in French), are containers used to protect and display relics. A portable reliquary may be called a fereter, and a chapel in which it is housed a feretory. A monstrance, also known as an ostensorium (or an ostensory), is a vessel used in Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, High Church Lutheran and Anglican churches for the display on an altar of some object of piety, such as the consecrated Eucharistic host during Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. It is also used as reliquary for the public display of relics of some saints. The use of reliquaries became an important part of Christian practices from at least the 4th century, initially in the Eastern Churches, which adopted the practice of moving and dividing the bodies of saints much earlier than the West, probably in part because the new capital of Constantinople, unlike Rome, lacked buried saints. Relics are venerated in the Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and some Anglican Churches. Reliquaries provide a means of protecting and displaying relics. While frequently taking the form of caskets, they range in size from simple pendants or rings to very elaborate ossuaries. The relics were enshrined in containers crafted of or covered with gold, silver, gems, and enamel. These objects constituted a important form of artistic production across Europe and Byzantium throughout the Middle Ages. Many were designed with portability in mind, often being exhibited in public or carried in procession on the saint's feast day or on other holy days. Pilgrimages often centered on the veneration of relics. The faithful often venerate relics by bowing before the reliquary or kissing it; those churches which observe the veneration of relics distinguish between the honor given to the saints and the worship that is due to God alone. Sixteenth-century reformers such as Martin Luther opposed the use of relics since many had no proof of historical authenticity and objected to a cult of saints. Many reliquaries, particularly in northern Europe, were destroyed by Calvinists or Calvinist sympathizers during the Reformation...

Antique rare & ancient artifact, a foot, wearing a sandal, the bottom of the foot has been carved with the sandals bottom as well.

This well executed hand carved bust is unsigned, but believed to have been done in England in circa 1900 in the period Edwardian style. The sculpture is composed of solid oak and dep...