An Outstanding Antique Austrian Altar Candleholder With A Sacred Heart, 1857

This is an outstanding and extremely rare antique altar candleholder that originates from the mid 19th century, Austria. Created with exquisite craftsmenship and artistic mastery this remarkable treasure is made of silver plated metal parts that are held in place by a steel pole. The central part is adorned with a large Sacred Heart that bears a Marian symbol - consisting of higly decorate initials A and M, for Ave Maria. Around the flaming heart are four embellishments with cut crystals in deep red and purple colours. The back bears an embossed mark with the name of its maker, the place and date: W. Billeck, in Linz, 1857. This is an exceptional and highly decorative treasure that is in lovely antique condition with signs of ageing mainly seen in a stunning patina created by the passage of time. This, in my opinion only enhances its true beauty and spelndour today. It exactly as I discovered it. For the full condition please refer to the images!