So beautiful, heavy and elegant! These are 19th century to very early 20th century French crucifix and holy font items, usually much smaller than this 8" tall beauty with the porcelain plaque, Madonna and Christ child. We can never keep them in stock. This one is finer in quality and condition than most. Look at that gorgeous font! The crafting of it, a bit gothic in feel and form, and it is fully enameled inside for use. This one is impressive. Measures 8" x 4.75" and is nearly 2" thick at the font. Between the bronze and the alabaster, it's also heavy. Ready to hang and enjoy. And to use. The kind of item a Grand Tour traveler might bring home. Perhaps a souvenir of your own Grand Tour. Napoleon III era (c.1850-70s) to as late as 1900.
Excellent! The cross has 3 layers, champleve enamel and porcelain and enameled holy font on top of a rich veined green marble, and heavy support of bronze behind. As with all of these, the kiln-fired champleve enamel work reminds me of the stained glass windows of countless gothic cathedrals around France. That green veined marble is in superb condition, as well, though I found about a 1mm nip to the bottom underside at the point (marked with an 'x' for your review) which can't be seen unless you look into the layers at bottom - even smaller than it looks because it's in a darker vein area. No breaks, cracks or noticeable chips to report.
