18th Century French Religious Fer a Hosties

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A scarce antique, circa 1765, French fer a hosties (cast iron host press / host mold)

Exquisitely hand forged in … Read more A scarce antique, circa 1765, French fer a hosties (cast iron host press / host mold)

Exquisitely hand forged in France in the 18th century, showcasing the blacksmith's high quality old world craftsmanship, similar to large tongs in design, reminiscent of Medieval waffle irons, having two flat rectangular plates, one inside face decorated with four finely engraved seals, all featuring religious imagery and symbolism, finding the traditional engraving arrangement of two large hosts (for the priest) and two small hosts (for the faithful), and including the Crucifixion, the Paschal Lamb, and the Ascension of Jesus, the opposite plate smooth, in the shape of pliers with two very long slender arm handles.

The most important celebration of the Catholic Church is the Eucharist. The faithful gather to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus through the priest's consecration of bread as Jesus' flesh and wine as his blood. It has its origin in the last supper that Jesus celebrated with his disciples and has been celebrated since the earliest times of Christianity.

For the rite of consecration, hosts are used, round and thin unleavened bread (also called oblata, altar bread, communion bread). The dough poured onto one of the plates, pressed and the clamp tightened, then it is put on the fire to heat for a few minutes. Once the dough is cooked, it is cut with a roundel, following the circular contours of the hosts. At each cooking, you can, in principle, make four hosts, two large and two small.

It seems that its use is documented back to the 6th or 7th century, while they stopped being made in France circa 1900. Today they can be found on display in museums and private collections, where it makes for a fascinating, historical and unusual work of art, decorative object, important liturgical / ecclesiastical / antique religious article.

Dimensions: (approx)
30.25" Long, 8.25" Wide See less