Pendant set with a French devotional medallion, silver and moonstones, England or France, 1910-30, with chain

A circular cast silver medallion of the Virgin and Child edged with a garland of laurel leaves, mounted in the Arts and Crafts style in a silver and moonstone setting. The pendant hangs from a 'V' shaped loop of silver set with an inverted tear drop of moonstone. From this hang two small openwork discs with a pattern of a cross made from four granules of silver. This connects to a larger oval moonstone, from which two slightly larger discs connect to the medallion. The chain has long rectangular interconnecting loops and a simple hook clasp.

Given by John and Jim Howden and Marion Gladwell in memory of Isobel Howden (née Wilson)

The pendant and chain has come down in the family of Henry Wilson's younger brother Edgar. It is possible that, like the rest of the pieces in this gift, it was made in his workshop although it is not sufficiently distinctive to be certain.

This silver medal of the Virgin and Child, produced in a French workshop, has been set with moonstones as a pendant by an unknown Arts and Crafts jeweller. Its original owner was the sister-in-law or the niece of Henry Wilson through his younger brother Edgar. It is tempting given the close family links with Henry Wilson (who travelled and lived for some years in France) to think that he might have been involved in its creation. However its style is not sufficiently distinctive to offer this attribution with certainty.

M.16:1,2-2014