Large Antique French Gilded Bronze Acanthus Leaf Religious Crown

This extraordinary example is set with lavish large glass stones and ornamented with eight large hand cast acanthus leaf adornments. It originates from a very fine collection found in Paris, France and dates circa 1880.

During the 19th century, the vast majority of religious crowns in France were cast in brass, which was lighter in weight and a less expensive metal. Affordable to small parishes, brass religious crowns were found throughout the countryside of France. Bronze work was done in a professional "atelier", and brought a higher selling price. Finely wrought bronze crowns were found in cathedrals, where they were often custom ordered and donated by a wealthy parishioner. The crown presented here, is such an example; the very solid and meticulous work of a master metal worker. It would have resided on a large Santos statue in a cathedral.

It is cast in a "royal" form which consists of a never ending circle. The base edge has a channel which is set with 56 bezel cut clear glass stones. Above this is a wider channel with fine mounts which hold both large horizontal and vertical oval stones (in green and rose). The use of so many very large bezel cut glass stones is unusual. Eight stylized fleur de lis (using a large bezel cut round emerald glass stone at the center and three curved and textured acanthus leaves to achieve the fleur de lis shape) mount atop a flat band. The band runs in a large scalloped pattern on the circular crown form.

The crown measures: 4 5/8" in diameter at the base, 3 1/2" tall to the top tip of the central acanthus leaf. The oval stones measure 5/8" and 3/4" long, the large green circular ones, 5/8" in diameter. The gilded patina is brilliant, the bronze form sturdy and the acanthus leaves all present.

It is an incredible religious decorative work of art and a precious part of religious ornamentation within the 19th century French cathedral.