Antique French Holy Water Font

Antique French Holy Water Font with Painted Enamel of the Virgin Mary

Circa late 19th | Velvet, Metal, Enamel

A deeply evocative and beautifully crafted French devotional piece, this antique holy water font is a rare example of both sacred artistry and tactile elegance. Mounted on a worn, time-faded blue velvet backing in a gothic-style silhouette, the font features a silver-toned metal crucifix and a beautifully ornate enamel portrait of the Virgin Mary.

The enamel portrait—glossy, luminous, and finely detailed—bears the hallmarks of 19th-century kiln-fired enamel portraiture: rich saturation, delicate brushstrokes, and slight dimensionality. The work is likely executed on copper, a technique typical of high-quality French religious enamels from the period.

At the base is a metal holy water basin with age-consistent patina. The crossed instruments of the Passion, including the ladder and spear, add further religious symbolism, making this a piece rich in both beauty and spiritual meaning.

Details:

• Likely hand-painted enamel portrait on copper
• Velvet-covered wooden backing
• Embossed silver-tone metal crucifix and symbolic detailing
• Measures approximately 11.5” x 6.5” 
• Origin: France
• Condition: Velvet shows significant fading and wear; metal has aged patina; enamel is in excellent antique condition with no cracks or chips visible.