Wierookhouder c. 1830 - 1850

This delicate pencil drawing depicts an incense holder, and was made by the Parisian firm of Feuchère. Without a date, it’s difficult to know precisely when this sketch was produced, but the Feuchère firm was at its most prominent in the first half of the 19th century, becoming known for elaborate metalwork and bronze sculpture. Sketches like these speak to the highly organized methods of production in workshops that operated like small businesses. The drawing shows a combination of classical and Gothic forms, with statues and stylized fleur-de-lis patterns. Incense holders such as this were used in Catholic and other Christian religious ceremonies. They reflect the 19th-century vogue for neo-Gothic design in Europe. The image allows us to reflect on the status of devotional objects in European culture, and the revival of interest in Christian traditions in the post-revolutionary era. The meaning of a sketch such as this is contingent on an understanding of the Feuchère firm, the history of design, and the traditions of Christian worship. Historical resources, such as letters, business records, or church inventories, could shed light on this drawing and its intended purpose.