Box With Holy Oils France, Year 1702

Box of Holy Oils in the shape of a solid silver shrine containing two silver oil ampoules. Hinged lid surmounted by a cross. Baguette chain clasp. The whole rests on plinth feet. The box contains two cylindrical ampoules with round caps engraved with initials and a cross-shaped socket. These lids bear the engraved letters which indicate that Holy Oils were kept in the box. The first bulb is engraved “OS”, for Oléum Sanctum. The second bulb has the letters “SC” for Sanctum Chrisma. Numerous hallmarks punctuate this box, including the one showing the letter “A” surmounted by a fleur-de-lys and located on the back of the cross, referring to the discharge hallmark affixed between October 1687 and December 1691 by the farmer general Jacques Léger. Remember that the charge hallmark in Paris from 1672 to 1789 is the initial “A” surmounted then accompanied by fleur-de-lys. From 1704 a royal crown was added. The left punch under the box features a capital “I” surmounted by a crown. It echoes the Jurande or Maison de Commune hallmark. This charge hallmark places the creation of this box in Limoges between 1698 and 1789. The central hallmark presents the capital initial “A” accompanied by the scepter of Saint Louis and the hand of Justice. It refers to the charge stamp affixed between January 1697 and April 1704 by the general farmers Adrien Vannier and Pierre Perrine – it begins in April 1698 for the latter. The association of the Jurande hallmark with the letter of the charge hallmark makes it possible to define the exact date of creation of the work. In the present case, it is the year 1702. Thus, and according to what the hallmarks reveal, the cross which surmounts the cover is probably a reuse of a previous work. The ampoules retain traces of Holy Oils. Notes: A chalice and a paten bearing the charge mark of Pierre Perrine and preserved at the Saint-Laurent church are classified as French movable heritage. Such a piece is extremely rare both as a sacred object and because of its time and its material (Silver) which, as we know, was confiscated throughout the kingdom in order to finance wars. In perfect condition without repair. Length: 7.4 cm Width: 3.9 cm Height: 7.5 cm