Silver Reliquary Pendant With The Lamb Of God "agnus Dei", Circa 17th Century

A magnificent 17th-century or earlier silver pendant in very good condition, decorated with an engraving of the Lamb of God on one side and the inscription IHS on the other. It was discovered in Delft, the Netherlands. Agnus Dei pendants were worn as amulets against evil and for protection during pregnancy and childbirth. The Paschal Lamb (from the Hebrew Pesach, meaning "Passover") is associated with the Jewish holiday of Passover and the Old Testament story of the Exodus. According to the Bible, God helped the Israelites escape slavery in Egypt by inflicting various plagues on them. To protect them from the tenth plague, God commanded them to sacrifice a lamb and mark their entrances, doors, and doorposts with its blood. The plague passed over the marked houses, and the Israelites were saved.

Height: 2.5 cm
Width: 1.7 cm