French Silver-Gilt and Polychrome Enamel Travelling Pyx

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French Silver-Gilt and Polychrome Enamel Travelling Pyx

About the Item

A French silver-gilt and polychrome enamel travelling pyx in the neo-gothic style, set with precious stones and pearls, with it's original leather carrying case. The round body surmounted by a small cross, and supported on a baluster stem and folding quadruped base. This example was destined either for taking the host to a person unable to come to the church, or perhaps for the personal use of a member of the clergy. It is illustrated in the 1865 catalogue of the silversmith P. Poussielgue-Rusand, where it is described as a Petite Custode plate pour le Saint Viatique. Poussielgue-Rusand specialised in silverware and bronzes for the church. It was available in a simple undecorated version without enamel or stones, and in a more expensive version with polychrome enamel and decorated with precious stones. The model did not exist in their earlier catalogue of 1853. It measures 12,5 cm high and weighs 97 g. It is marked with the French first standard Minerva head silver hallmark; as well as the maker's mark 'PPR' within a diamond-shaped lozenge for Placide Poussielgue-Rusand (1824 – 1889). It also has a workshop number. It is engraved under the base: 'H.G. de C.' / St Etienne du Mont / 2 juillet 1883. It is in excellent condition, and is available with its original carrying case, which is also marked 'H.G. de C.' (Saint-Etienne du Mont is a church just behind the Pantheon in Paris). It is interesting that it should be dated and also that it bears the name of the church to which the owner belonged. The initials would suggest that the owner came from an aristocratic family, which was not uncommon in France. Another example of this travelling pyx is in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. (M28.1983) A pyx (or pyxide in French) is a ciborium or vessel for holding the consecrated host. The term pyx is usually used when referring to a small, often travelling ciborium, (in French port dieu, custode or pyxide du viatique). The form, a vessel surmounted by a cross and supported on a stem with a knop and resting on a foot has existed for many centuries. Travelling pyxes were supposed to be flat and a model existed in a form similar to that of a pocket watch. Placide Poussielgue-Rusand supplied His Holiness the Pope and was one of the most important French nineteenth church silversmiths. He often worked with the architect Viollet-le-Duc, and his work can be found in many important cathedral and church collections. Amongst many other important pieces, Placide Poussielgue-Rusand made the reliquary, now kept in the treasury of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, for the original crown of thorns. Poussielgue-Rusand exhibited and won awards in most of the national and international Universal Exhibitions from 1851 onwarrds. In 1878 they received a gold medal, and in 1889 as president of the jury they were hors concours; later in 1900 they were awarded a grand prize. Please ask for more images or information.

Creator:
Poussielgue-Rusand (Artist)
Dimensions:
Height: 4.93 in (12.5 cm)Width: 1.97 in (5 cm)Depth: 1.97 in (5 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Enamel,Silver
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1883
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Paris, FR
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU101941413252