A LARGE AND IMPORTANT FRENCH GILDED SILVER, GEM SET AND CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL MONSTRANCE, POUSSIELGUE-RUSAND FILS, PARIS, CIRCA 1889. The large and impressive monstrance, rising from a quatrefoil base raised on four gargoyle heads at each corner, upon which rest a finely sculpted figure of a winged angel, each holding a lapis sphere. The pyramidal base tapering inward and each side with a large panel and overall decorated with applied filigree and red cabochons. The center of each panel set with a large medallion in champlevé enamel and niello depicting figures representing one of the four geographical locations as rendered in Latin; Septentrio, Oriens, Meridies and Occidens (North, East, South, West). Each large main medallion further surrounded by three smaller medallions similarly enameled and each displaying a waist-up image of one of the 12 Apostles. Immediately above the base a compressed spherical node set with red oval cabochons and with pierced medallions depicting the Lamb of God. Rising up further still a budding flower form with two outstretched branches displaying finely sculpted praying angels and at center a band of sculpted eagles beneath the quatrefoil exposition window with each lobe displaying a champlevé enamel frame surrounding a silver-gilt relief sculpted figure representing one of the Four Evangelists. The verso similarly decorated and displaying champlevé enameled medallions depicting figures representing the four rivers as mentioned in the book of Genesis; Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and the Euphrates. The central exposition window containing the original luna and surrounded with a band of pearls, cabochons, filigree and champlevé enamel cross-forms. Between each lobe are set four ornate gilded silver sunburst rays emanating outward and decorated with filigree, cabochons, and diamond encrusted sparrows. The central horizontal and top lobes with fleur-de-lis forms terminating with shock of wheat and on top with cross finial mounted with a large oval polished black opal and pearls. The underside of monstrance with plaque engraved in Latin with the beginning of two different prayers ending in the date May 1889 rendered in Roman numerals. “SUME ET SUSCIPE DOMINE AMOREM TUI SOLUM CUM GRATIA TUA MIHI DONES - ECCE PANIS ANGELORUM FACTUS CIBUS VIATORUM - MAI MDCCCLXXXIX - M.B. D. A” With French silver marks throughout (Minerva) and the maker's marks of Poussielgue-Rusand Fils. Total weight 189 troy ounces. Height 36.25 inches (92 cm).

Provenance:
The Thomas Moreland Collection, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.A.

Comparison:An identical monstrance is depicted in the 1893 Poussielgue-Rusand catalog, page 48, as item number 94 (see illustration).

The Paris firm of Poussielgue-Rusand of Paris was considered one of the preeminent ecclesiastical goldsmith firms of the 19th century. For decades they enjoyed enormous success winning prizes at major international exhibitions and were sought out to produce a multitude of important works such as the Reliquary of the Crown of Thorns, Notre Dame de Paris, the Reliquary of the Veil of the Virgin, Cathedral of Chartres and the Reliquary of the Head of John the Baptist, the Cathedral of Amiens, to name just a few.

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