Rare Pair of Vintage French Lourdes Devotional Dioramas c. 1930s-1950s For Sale

A highly collectible pair of authentic vintage Frenchreligious dioramas commemorating the Marian apparitions to Saint Bernadette atthe Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France. These pieces are wonderfulexamples of mid-20th-century French devotional folk art, both safely preservedunder their original convex acetate domed covers. (Apologies for the camera and lighting glare)

Piece 1: Lithograph with natural wheat accents (1930s). Featuresa color lithograph base of the apparition scene. The inner border isintricately framed using actual dried wheat ears, which are wonderfullypreserved. Quotes the Virgin Mary in French: "Je suis l'ImmaculéeConception... Je veux qu'on élève ici une chapelle et qu'on y fasse desprocessions." (I am the Immaculate Conception... I want a chapel builthere and processions to be made). Displays the French registration mark"129. DÉPOSÉ" and a partial "Paris" print stamp at thebottom. The backing consists of aged dark cardboard with its original hangingloop. Measures 3 3/4” by 2 7/8”.

Piece 2: Sculpted wax & foil grotto diorama (1940s–1950s).A multi-layered 3D piece. The central figure of the Virgin Mary, the grottorock, and the tiny floral accents are molded from wax. The background featuresvibrant blue foil/paper with a gilded paper cut-out depicting the Basilica ofOur Lady of Lourdes. Backing consists of pressed-cardboard complete with itsoriginal hanging loop. Measures 3 3/4” by 3”.

Both dioramas are in good vintage condition, especiallyconsidering the fragility of early plastics (dome). The wax figure has no meltor heat damage, and the natural wheat frame shows no signs of insect decay. Thebrass-toned metal frames carry a vintage patina.