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

Pendant

1475-1900 (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 late 15th or early 16th century when it was acquired in 1903. It represents the martyrdom of St Sebastian.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast silver
Brief description
Silver pendant of St. Sebastian, Germany, 1475-1900.
Physical description
Cast silver pendant in the form of a three-dimensional image of St Sebastian tied to a stylised tree. There is a loose ring of twisted wire threaded through a hole at the top.
Dimensions
  • Height: 5.4cm
  • Width: 2.5cm
  • Depth: 0.8cm
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 late 15th or early 16th century when it was acquired in 1903. It represents the martyrdom of St Sebastian.
Bibliographic reference
For similar examples, see: Chadour, Anna Beatriz, and Joppien, Rüdiger, Schmuck I, Cologne, 1985, figs. 62-64
Collection
Accession number
505-1903

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest