A Canadian silver gilt Reliquary Cross

François Sasseville (1797-1864) succeeded the silversmith Laurent Amiot and acquired his tools. Sasseville was commissioned to provide church plate in addition to domestic pieces. In 1827 he made silver for St. Famille Church, Isle of Orleans. (J.E. Langdon, Canadian Silversmiths & Their Marks, 1667-1867, Vermont, 1960, p.86). For a closely related reliquary cross, see Sotheby & Co. (Canada), Canadian Glass and Silver, 3-4 May, 1971, lot 146 (‘Silver crucifix engraved with the words “Vivent Joseph et Marie” on the front and “Marie a ete concue sans peche” on the reverse, Ambrose Lafrance, Quebec, 1822-1918, 1oz, 10 dwts.’). For similar reliquary crosses by Pierre Lesperance (Quebec, 1819-1892), see the previous lot (145) in the same sale, and see also J.E. Langdon, Canadian Silversmiths 1700-1900, Toronto, 1966, pl.21, and Sotheby’s Toronto, 8 Nov. 1988, lot 26.