Pendant thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Pendant

1800-1899 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Pendants like this, representing Christian figures cast in silver, were first made in the late 15th century. They were intended as an aid to prayer. They were often hung from rosaries, or, with a loop at each end, formed part of a string of prayer beads. Like many religious objects they were unaffected by fashion, and the original designs continued to be made in Germany, unchanged since the 15th century, as late as the early 20th century. It is extremely difficult to date them accurately.

This was described as cast from a 16th-century model when it was acquired in 1903. It represents the Virgin and Child.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast silver-gilt
Brief description
Cast silver-gilt pendant figure of the Virgin and Child, Germany, 1800-1899.
Physical description
Cast silver-gilt pendant of the Virgin, holding the child Jesus in her arms. At the top is a loop for suspension, with a loose ring threaded through it.
Dimensions
  • Length: 5.2cm
  • Width: 1.5cm
  • Depth: 0.7cm
Subject depicted
Summary
Pendants like this, representing Christian figures cast in silver, were first made in the late 15th century. They were intended as an aid to prayer. They were often hung from rosaries, or, with a loop at each end, formed part of a string of prayer beads. Like many religious objects they were unaffected by fashion, and the original designs continued to be made in Germany, unchanged since the 15th century, as late as the early 20th century. It is extremely difficult to date them accurately.

This was described as cast from a 16th-century model when it was acquired in 1903. It represents the Virgin and Child.
Bibliographic reference
For similar, see: Anna Beatriz Chadour and Rüdiger Joppien, Schmuck I, Cologne 1985, no. 87.
Collection
Accession number
506-1903

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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