Rare Large Monogram "AM" Antique French Sacred Heart

Heavily gilded, this authentic antique (circa 1880) French sacred heart bears a custom (large) monogram. This type of monogram would have been a particular request, in honor of the Virgin Mary. It most likely would have been given in thanksgiving, (prayers answered, miracle) to be displayed near a statue of the Virgin Mary in a small parish. The clamshell box is particular to French sacred hearts (Italian and Spanish are flat). The box is of a cast mixture of bronze and brass which has been heavily gilded. The monogram, (AM; Ave Marie) is large, measuring 1 1/8" tall and 7/8" wide. The engraving is hand tooled with individual marks. A wreath of hand tooled leaves encircles the monogram. There is a 1/16" bevel around the face of the top and a 1/8" twisting rope around the bottom edge. The flame is lightly grooved and has a mount and ring at the back. The back half repeats the same bevel. The interior is brilliant with thick gilding. The voto measures: 3" x 1 1/2"; 3/4" thick. It i