19th Century French Gothic Cathedral Giltwood & Glass Reliquary / Vitrine

19th C. French 'Ave Maria' Bénitier / Holy Water Font, Devotional Reliquary  France, circa 1890s, artist signed 'Ale'  A stunning late 19th-century French Bénitier/Holy Water Font D...

19th Century French Moorish Gilt Bronze Figural Centerpiece France, 1880s Experience the allure of late 19th century French Moorish/Orientalist art with this extraordinary gilt bro...

French Charles X Gothic Vanity Mirror and Jewelry Casket, circa 1835 The French Charles X period mirrored vanity box, which dates to approximately 1835–1850, showcases remarkable Go...

Pair of 19th-century French Bronzed Zinc Gothic Architectural Altar/Pricket Candlesticks, France, circa 1870s A stunning pair of 19th-century Fren...

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...

This Italian 18th century Louis XVI period hand carved and gilt wood architectural fragment probably was the central section of a bigger altar tabernacle that can now be used as a de...

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...

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...