This is a beautiful Antique French meerschaum font, circa 1800s. The glass and font are gone, but the screw where it was once attached is still visible. This is a beautifully ornate piece with a meerschaum Sacred Heart of Jesus mounted in a hand-carved frame. The back is papered in black, and a small ring for hanging is at the top. This is an original French antique, which we found in Provence, France. This piece measures 6" x 3.75", and it is a beautiful antique.
There has been some discussion between the dealer and me regarding the material used to make this piece. I feel that it is "meerschaum," which is a soft, white, clay-like material consisting of hydrated magnesium and a silicate. However, the French dealer calls it "kaolin," which is a hydrated aluminum silicate crystalline mineral formed over many millions of years by the hydrothermal decomposition of granite rocks. I have a feeling we are talking about the same thing, but I decided to share as many details as possible.
Please email me with questions.
