16th century silver monstrance

Monstrance of the 16th century.
Silver.
Exhibits wear consistent with age and use. It does not keep the cross at the top.
Weight: 700 gr.
Measurements: 28 x 19 x 15 cm.

Monstrance of the XVI century that presents an architectural structure of Renaissance inspiration with Gothic influences, composed by a wide and poly-lobed base richly decorated with incised vegetal motifs. It has a central molded shaft that provides verticality and balance, and an upper body in the form of a polygonal temple with small columns at the corners and a circular opening for the exposition of the host; the whole is topped with a spire that resembles a small tower, reinforcing its monumental character in miniature.

The silver has a natural dark patina that highlights the reliefs and the silversmith's handwork, increasing the splendor and antiquity of the piece.

A religious monstrance, also called ostensory, is a liturgical object used in the Catholic Church to publicly expose the consecrated host, which represents the Body of Christ, especially during Eucharistic adoration and Corpus Christi processions; it is usually made of noble materials such as silver or gold and adopts richly decorated forms -frequently with an architectural structure or with rays around the central virile where the host is placed- in order to highlight its sacred character and facilitate its veneration by the faithful.