Pendant
1800-1867 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
After the prolonged and destructive Thirty Years War of 1618–48, Europe split into a Catholic south and a Protestant north. This led to an increase in the number of pilgrimage sites in the Catholic area, and a massive expansion in the production of religious medals, crosses and souvenir jewellery, often in a form that was specific to a particular holy site.
This medallion probably came from one such centre. It was acquired in Sicily, but the image shows Christ giving the keys of heaven to St Peter, which might be more appropriate for Rome. Its frame is made in imitation of filigree, which was a speciality of Italy in the 19th century. It was bought as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
This medallion probably came from one such centre. It was acquired in Sicily, but the image shows Christ giving the keys of heaven to St Peter, which might be more appropriate for Rome. Its frame is made in imitation of filigree, which was a speciality of Italy in the 19th century. It was bought as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Stamped silver in an imitation filigree frame |
| Brief description | Silver filigree pendant with a religious medallion, Sicily (Italy), 1800-1867. |
| Physical description | Double-sided oval medallion, with Christ giving a key to St Peter on each side. The medallion is mounted in a large hollow pierced frame of stamped metal imitating filigree. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Illegible mark. (On the suspension ring.) |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | After the prolonged and destructive Thirty Years War of 1618–48, Europe split into a Catholic south and a Protestant north. This led to an increase in the number of pilgrimage sites in the Catholic area, and a massive expansion in the production of religious medals, crosses and souvenir jewellery, often in a form that was specific to a particular holy site. This medallion probably came from one such centre. It was acquired in Sicily, but the image shows Christ giving the keys of heaven to St Peter, which might be more appropriate for Rome. Its frame is made in imitation of filigree, which was a speciality of Italy in the 19th century. It was bought as part of the Castellani collection of Italian Peasant Jewellery at the International Exhibition, Paris, 1867. |
| Bibliographic reference | 'Italian Jewellery as worn by the Peasants of Italy', Arundel Society, London, 1868, Plate 11 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 281-1868 |
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| Record created | May 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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