A striking French wall-mounted holy-water font dating from the late 19th century and created in the Napoleon III tradition. Its pierced, blackened wooden frame is crowned with a Gothic-style cross and surrounds an oval panel protected by convex glass.
The finely carved pale relief, attributed to meerschaum, depicts two winged angels holding a Marian emblem and a ribbon inscribed “Je vous salue Marie”—“Hail Mary”. A natural seashell forms the holy-water basin beneath the frame, adding an unusual sculptural and organic element.
The dramatic contrast between the ebonised wood, ivory-toned relief and natural shell gives this devotional object a particularly atmospheric presence. Originating from an old Portuguese manor house, it would make a compelling addition to a collection of French religious art, ecclesiastical antiques or romantic Gothic interiors.
Condition: Presented in authentic antique condition. The convex glass has a long vertical crack, and there is a small crack in the wooden frame. The rear covering is worn and partially missing, with oxidation to the old fittings and general age-related wear to the finish. Careful handling is essential, and the existing hanging fitting should be checked before installation.
The Napoleon III period formally ran from 1852 to 1870, although its characteristic blackened-wood decorative style continued to be produced during the following decades. Comparable holy-water fonts are regularly dated to around 1880, making circa 1870–1890, probably circa 1880, the most defensible dating for this example.
Measurements
Height: 39 cm
Width: 24 cm
Weight: approximately 0.60 kg
