Large French Gilded Silver Antique Sacred Heart Ex Voto

Large and impressive, this vermeil (gilt over silver) sacred heart would have served on an altar or been attached to a religious statue. It comes from the Champagne region and dates circa 1880.

The engraving is especially finely done with highly detailed flower petals and elegant flowing leaves and stems. The central initial and rising cross are filled by horizontal tooling which gives the illusion of depth against the flat background.

The large and deeply grooved flame has a ring attached at the back for threading a chain. The heart does not open nor does the flame come away from the top; this is typical of a sacred heart which was used for ornamentation within the church.

It measures: 5 1/2" x 3" x 1 5/8" thick. It is in very good condition in consideration of age; one indentation on the top shoulder, the gilt wash has worn away on the face, there are light tarnish and light indentations.
NOTE: one small separation to the left and right "seams": where the heart attached to the altar piece or statue.



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