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Few objects command a room the way this does. What you are looking at is a museum-quality Frenchbénitier— a wall-mounted holy water font — dating to the Napoleon III period, circa 1860–1880, in exceptional original condition.
The backing is carved white alabaster in the shape of a Latin cross. Mounted to it is a gilt-bronze champlevé enamel cross of the highest order: trefoil-terminated arms filled with luminous turquoise, cobalt blue, pink, and gold enamel in scrolling acanthus and floral motifs, all surrounding a central medallion bearing theIHS Christogram— the sacred monogram of Christ used in Catholic devotional art since the medieval period. The enamel work is dense, finely detailed, and fully intact. The gilding retains its warmth.
Below the cross, a matching hexagonal champlevé enamel holy water basin completes the set — decorated in the same palette of turquoise and floral motifs, mounted on a turned brass stem. That the font and cross remain together as a matching set is increasingly rare; these pieces were prone to separation over 150 years of household use.
Champlevé enamel in turquoise blue, pink, and cream forming floral and scroll designs on alabaster or onyx is the definitive signature of the finest French religious metalwork of the late 19th century — produced for wealthy Catholic households who understood that devotion and beauty were not opposites. These pieces were mounted on bronze bases with original hanging loops, ready to display — this one remains ready for the wall today, exactly as it was made.
This is not decorative reproduction work. It is the real thing: French, Victorian, hand-enameled, and completely intact. Collectors of religious antiques, champlevé enamel, or Napoleon III decorative arts will not find a better example at this price.
