French antique small oratory cabinet for Our Lady of Brebière.  
The basilica Notre-Dame de Brebière was built in Albert (north of France) at the end of the 19th century by Edmond Duthoit. It was called the Lourdes of the north and was a big pilgrimage place in France. 
There is a legend with the statue at the top of the basilica.
It was hit by thousands of shells during WWI. 
It was about to fall in 1915 and it became a symbol of hope.
People believed “When the Virgin falls, the war will end”. It fell in April 1918 and the basilica was destroyed. The war ended just after!
The basilica was rebuilt in the late 1920s by the son of the orginal architect.
This little cabinet is made of wood covered with embossed sheet metal. Some details are painted.
The doors are painted inside.
The statue of Notre-Dame de Brebière holding the infant Jesus is embossed on sheet metal. It is attached  inside the cabinet. It doesn't lay completely flat. 'N-D de Brebière. Albert' written underneath. There is the signature of the artist but I can't manage to read it.
Art deco shapes and pattern reminiscent of the style of the basilica.
This cabinet is handmade so not perfect. It has also been heavily used.
The metal is not always flat, gone in small places and getting unstuck in others. 
There are scratches, stains and discolouration too.
The hinges work well.
Beautiful and unique little cabinet!
Size closed: H 21 x W 8.9 x D 4.9 cm / H 8.26 x W 3.14 x D 1.57 inches
Width completely open: 15.8 cm / 5.9 inches
 
The pictures are part of the description.
Import duties and taxes are the buyer's responsibility.
 
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