19th-Century French Silvered Metal Monstrance - 17"

A sculptural expression of sacred art, this 19th-century French monstrance is cast in silvered metal with impressive verticality and ornate relief work. Traditionally used to display a consecrated host or relic for veneration in a religious context, the monstrance centers around a circular lunule, the small holder designed to showcase the host, framed by radiant sunbursts and swirling clouds, emblems of divine presence. Of the original glass panes that once enclosed the lunule, one has been lost; the remaining pane is a later replacement that sits loosely within its mount.

The slender stem rises above a pedestal base enriched with symbolic and naturalistic ornamentation. Each of the four trapezoidal faces features low-relief decoration, cascading grape clusters and flanking foliage referencing the Eucharist, alongside the Tablets of the Law. The front panel is adorned with a gilded Lamb of God. The base rests on four ornate claw-and-ball feet, detailed with chased scrollwork and fruiting vine motifs.

Whether used in a devotional setting or admired for its dramatic silhouette and iconography, this piece radiates spiritual and sculptural presence. Its luminous patina and richly layered symbolism make it a compelling centerpiece on an altar, console, or within a curated display of religious artifacts.