19th Century French Ecclesiastical Iron & Bronze Altar Rail

A spectacular early European castle altar processional / torchiere stand. circa 1730 or earlier. Born in Continental Europe in the early 18th century or earlier, some later elements, most likely Germanic, Medieval Gothic style, hand forged iron sculptural cross form mounted with primitive push-button panel opening to reveal heraldic coat of arms embossed brass plaque, with The Nelsons family banner, royal crown crest with cross, standing mythical goat and stag heraldic supporters, shield escutcheon castle, fleur-de-lis, three diamonds and eagle shield...

A magnificent large antique European forged iron seventeen light candelabrum. Dating from the 18th to early 19th century, Continental Europe, most likely Spanish, most impressive monumental size, made long before the advent of electricity, this finely crafted hand forged black wrought iron floor lamp...

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...

Simple clean lines but deeply complex design, brilliantly poetic if you see it, uninteresting and repetitious if you can't. Inspired by the sinuous curves of flowing flowers and contrasting geometric lines from turn of the century architecture, sculptural, asymmetrical, expressive, eloquent, stylized fanciful scrollwork, it's rustically sophisticated, brutally stylish, whimsical and elegantly aged to patina perfection. The simplistic yet majestic sculpted stand (freestanding screen...

19th Century French Napoleon III Period wrought iron Balustrade ~ Window Guard is a stunning work of the metalsmith's art! Hand-crafted during the middle of the 19th century, it feat...

19th Century French Louis XIV Wrought Iron Bombe Balcony Railing is a stunning work of the metal sculptor's art! Hand-forged during the heyday of the Napoleon III Period, it feature...

Evoke a sense of timeless romance and artisanal charm with this captivating Vintage Distressed Wrought Iron Console Table, complete with its original glass top. Hand-forged with intr...

A large and impressive Gothic Revival fire grate in wrought iron with brick fire back. The front supports swept out on splayed feet with curved elongated uprights with dragons heads ...