Napoleon III Era Large Reliquary Box with Italian Sacred Heart

An extraordinary and large reliquary box, it holds an Italian silver sacred heart (attached to a fragment of an old chasuble) inside. It originates from a fine Parisian estate collection and dates towards 1870). The form is of cast bronze which has been heavily gilded. The 1 1/2" wide border has a lace work quality, with delicate scrolls, circles, flowers and arabesques. The glass stones are very large (rarely seen on this type of box which ordinarily is plainly adorned). There are eight large oval faceted glass stones which are bezel set (sapphire, emerald and ruby glass). The stylized flowers (which give a scalloped appearance to the edge) are embellished with round emerald, sapphire and ruby glass stones. The reliquary box has a gilded bronze 1/4" ormolu mount with repeating raised ovals. Thick glass is mounted underneath the mount. The box formed at the back is 1/2" thick. The model number is stamped at the back center (80). The box opens from the back. The antique milagro It