Antique Holy water font - 1920-1930 - XXL - 49 cm - 1.9 kg

Neo-Gothic XXL wall-mounted Lourdes Reliquary - Our Lady of Lourdes - 49 cm - 1.9 kg - c. 1930

Description:
Exceptional and very large devotional wall reliquary of domestic use in the Neo-Gothic period (circa 1920-1940), direct provenance from Lourdes, France.
This XXL model stands out for its extraordinary dimensions and manufacturing quality. The main metal framework represents a magnificent miniaturized cathedral façade finely chiselled, with its columnettes adorned with vegetal scrolls, a trilobed ogival vault, and a large summit cross. In the center sits a statue of the Virgin Mary (Our Lady of Lourdes), crowned and in prayer, holding her rosary.
At the upper part, a relief banner bears the inscription: "SOUVENIR DE N.D. DE LOURDES". At the lower part, the holy-water basin is fitted with its original movable cover, which opens onto a turquoise protective background with a patina of use. The whole is firmly fixed to a thick curved solid wood plaque stained a dark color, which superbly enhances the silver reflections of the metal.
An impressive sacred art object, ideal for a cabinet of curiosities or a collection of religious antiques.
Technical specifications:
• Provenance: France (Sanctuary of Lourdes)
• Era: First half of the 20th century (circa 1930)
• Material: Art-regule / old alloy casting with silver patina, on a solid varnished wood base.
• Height: 49 cm
• Width: 25 cm
• Total weight: 1.890 kg (Substantial weight, proof of quality)
Condition:
The object is in a beautiful vintage state, sound and authentic. Nothing is broken.
• Structure and mechanism: The lid/valve of the water reserve opens and closes without any problem. The suspension ring on the back is original and solid.
• Interior of the basin: The bluish-turquoise color inside shows natural oxidation traces. This is perfectly normal for glass or an old sealing coating that contained holy water, attesting to its real historical use.
• Patina and wood: A superb original patina covers the silvered part. The wooden support shows some normal surface scratches for its age. These slight signs of time do not compromise the object's solidity and add to its charm and authenticity.

* The first image in this gallery was generated by artificial intelligence for illustrative and aesthetic enhancement of the object.