It’s solid. Made of bronze. Dates from 1870. And it’s the only one of its kind in Quebec. We’re talking here about the high altar (not to be confused with maîtres d’hôtel, which are generally younger and less bronze) at the front of La Nativité church.
Clearly, this impressive piece of permanent furniture was not easy to install.
Imported from Paris and installed in 1872, the high altar required a brick structure to support its heavy bronze casing. Also, the components of the piece required such precision in their installation, that a renowned Montreal silversmith of the time, Robert Hendery, had to be called in.
A man who, one imagines, could assemble an IKEA piece of furniture with his eyes closed today…