Antique Catholic Sick Call / Last Rites Home Altar with Ormolu Bronze Crucifix & Original Fitted Cabinet — Circa 1900An exceptional antique Catholic home sick-call or Last Rites altar, dating approximately to the turn of the 20th century.The centerpiece is an elaborate ormolu (gilt bronze) crucifix and double candelabrum, measuring approximately 10½ inches high × 7 inches wide. The construction has been examined and identified as ormolu over bronze.The richly modeled pedestal is particularly unusual and is decorated on its different sides with Catholic devotional imagery, including the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the traditional cross, anchor and heart representing Faith, Hope and Charity, a liturgical vessel/lamp motif, and clasped hands.Above the pedestal rises the crucifix with a detailed figure of Christ, flanked by scrolling candle arms and a shell-form receptacle associated with the sick-call service.The altar is accompanied by its fitted antique wooden cabinet measuring approximately 15 inches high × 12 inches wide × 6 inches deep.The cabinet features traditional wood construction with dovetailed joinery, period metal hinges and twin crosses applied to the exterior doors. The interior retains its aged purple fabric lining, pockets and retaining straps designed to secure the altar and associated articles.An old photograph of a clergyman remains with the cabinet and has deliberately been left undisturbed.The bronze appears to have small raised characters along the lower portion of the base that may include “USA.” Because the marking is difficult to read conclusively, no specific manufacturer is being attributed.The cabinet and altar appear to have been together for a considerable period and are being offered together as one historic devotional ensemble.ConditionThe entire ensemble is offered in as-found antique condition.The ormolu retains an attractive aged gold surface with areas of wear, oxidation, discoloration and patina consistent with age and use. It has not been aggressively polished, preserving the historic surface.The wooden cabinet shows considerable age-related surface wear, scratches, finish loss and other evidence of use. Its purple interior fabric, retaining straps, pockets and fittings also show age and wear.Some of the smaller articles that would originally have accompanied a Catholic sick-call outfit—such as linens, holy-water bottle and other sacramental accessories—are no longer present.Please examine photographs carefully; they form an important part of the condition description.Approximate measurementsCrucifix/candelabrum: 10½” H × 7” W
Wood cabinet: 15” H × 12” W × 6” DPeriod: Circa 1900 / late 19th–early 20th century
Material: Ormolu (gilt bronze), wood, textile
Origin: Possibly United States; possible “USA” marking
Religion: Roman Catholic
Type: Sick Call / Last Rites / Viaticum home altar
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