A fabulous frame all on its own, but this one is also a religious commemorative, souvenir of the 25th anniversary of the ordination of the Master of the Abbey, Mentioning Lourdes, and is engraved elaborately on the heave brass backing. I've tried to show the entirety of the dedication for your review. " A Mr l'abbe, C. Mermet, curé doyen ______le-Haut, Souvenir de 25eme anniversaire d'ordination sacredotatate Lourdes 29 Avril 1899, Les Famillels Vet G. Cournier" (To Master of the Abbey, C. Mermet, a gift from the families G. Cournier). The kiln-fired champleve enamel is really stunningly beautiful on this elaborate and large frame, topped with a cross and with the added ornament of a silver crown ornament just below. These old pieces so remind me of the brilliant French Gothic stained glass in all the old cathedrals and churches. The frame has a cover glass, and opens by removing 3 pins in back (a couple others missing), and removing the hinged easel-mounted backing. Quite simple.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, I've shown it from all views. The front face is fabulous, undamaged, and the back side would benefit from some real elbow grease-polishing. It's made from a thick heavy brass alloy which will polish up to a gold-like finish. The easel is intact, hinged, supports the heavy frame well. The pins are not screws, but are more like pins. Once in place, they hold the frame together well for display. The seem to me to not hold as well as would screws, but they do seem original to this frame. One can quite easily pry the backing off. The pins are about 3/8" long, and as noted, 3 remain and the others are lost to time. All measurements are noted on the photos.
