Double-sided Enamel & Gold Pendant: The Virgin & Christ. French, 17th Century.
Double-sided Painted Enamel and Gold Pendant: The Virgin and Christ.
French, first half of the 17th century.
Measurements
Enamel pendant: 2.8 × 2.2 cm.
Total weight: 6.6 g.
Chain: English hallmarked 18 ct gold, length 44 cm.
Description
An oval, double-faced painted enamel pendant, each side bearing a bust—one of the Virgin and the other of Christ—executed in polychrome enamel with subtle modelling of flesh tones and finely drawn hair and drapery. The Virgin is shown in three-quarter view, head inclined and wearing a blue headband and mantle; Christ likewise is rendered with long, curled hair and a red cloak over a blue garment. The handling—careful stippling and thin, layerable enamel colours to render warm cheeks and soft shadows—is characteristic of early seventeenth-century French devotional miniatures.
The enamel is set within a simple gold bezel and was almost certainly intended for intimate devotional use: its scale and iconography suggest it may originally have been suspended from a rosary or worn as a personal reliquary pendant. The piece has been later mounted on a fine, hallmarked English 18 ct gold chain, making it immediately wearable while preserving the enamel as the primary focus.
Condition: unrestored and untouched; the painted surfaces retain their original enamelling in a fine state of preservation.
Comparisons
See a closely related double-sided enamel medallion with the Virgin and Christ in the collection of the British Museum (Museum no. 1978,1002.542) for comparison of iconography and techniqueDouble-sided Painted Enamel and Gold Pendant: The Virgin and Christ.
French, first half of the 17th century.
Measurements
Enamel pendant: 2.8 × 2.2 cm.
Total weight: 6.6 g.
Chain: English hallmarked 18 ct gold, length 44 cm.
Description
An oval, double-faced painted enamel pendant, each side bearing a bust—one of the Virgin and the other of Christ—executed in polychrome enamel with subtle modelling of flesh tones and finely drawn hair and drapery. The Virgin is shown in three-quarter view, head inclined and wearing a blue headband and mantle; Christ likewise is rendered with long, curled hair and a red cloak over a blue garment. The handling—careful stippling and thin, layerable enamel colours to render warm cheeks and soft shadows—is characteristic of early seventeenth-century French devotional miniatures.
The enamel is set within a simple gold bezel and was almost certainly intended for intimate devotional use: its scale and iconography suggest it may originally have been suspended from a rosary or worn as a personal reliquary pendant. The piece has been later mounted on a fine, hallmarked English 18 ct gold chain, making it immediately wearable while preserving the enamel as the primary focus.
Condition: unrestored and untouched; the painted surfaces retain their original enamelling in a fine state of preservation.
Comparisons
See a closely related double-sided enamel medallion with the Virgin and Christ in the collection of the British Museum (Museum no. 1978,1002.542) for comparison of iconography and technique
French, first half of the 17th century.
Measurements
Enamel pendant: 2.8 × 2.2 cm.
Total weight: 6.6 g.
Chain: English hallmarked 18 ct gold, length 44 cm.
Description
An oval, double-faced painted enamel pendant, each side bearing a bust—one of the Virgin and the other of Christ—executed in polychrome enamel with subtle modelling of flesh tones and finely drawn hair and drapery. The Virgin is shown in three-quarter view, head inclined and wearing a blue headband and mantle; Christ likewise is rendered with long, curled hair and a red cloak over a blue garment. The handling—careful stippling and thin, layerable enamel colours to render warm cheeks and soft shadows—is characteristic of early seventeenth-century French devotional miniatures.
The enamel is set within a simple gold bezel and was almost certainly intended for intimate devotional use: its scale and iconography suggest it may originally have been suspended from a rosary or worn as a personal reliquary pendant. The piece has been later mounted on a fine, hallmarked English 18 ct gold chain, making it immediately wearable while preserving the enamel as the primary focus.
Condition: unrestored and untouched; the painted surfaces retain their original enamelling in a fine state of preservation.
Comparisons
See a closely related double-sided enamel medallion with the Virgin and Christ in the collection of the British Museum (Museum no. 1978,1002.542) for comparison of iconography and techniqueDouble-sided Painted Enamel and Gold Pendant: The Virgin and Christ.
French, first half of the 17th century.
Measurements
Enamel pendant: 2.8 × 2.2 cm.
Total weight: 6.6 g.
Chain: English hallmarked 18 ct gold, length 44 cm.
Description
An oval, double-faced painted enamel pendant, each side bearing a bust—one of the Virgin and the other of Christ—executed in polychrome enamel with subtle modelling of flesh tones and finely drawn hair and drapery. The Virgin is shown in three-quarter view, head inclined and wearing a blue headband and mantle; Christ likewise is rendered with long, curled hair and a red cloak over a blue garment. The handling—careful stippling and thin, layerable enamel colours to render warm cheeks and soft shadows—is characteristic of early seventeenth-century French devotional miniatures.
The enamel is set within a simple gold bezel and was almost certainly intended for intimate devotional use: its scale and iconography suggest it may originally have been suspended from a rosary or worn as a personal reliquary pendant. The piece has been later mounted on a fine, hallmarked English 18 ct gold chain, making it immediately wearable while preserving the enamel as the primary focus.
Condition: unrestored and untouched; the painted surfaces retain their original enamelling in a fine state of preservation.
Comparisons
See a closely related double-sided enamel medallion with the Virgin and Christ in the collection of the British Museum (Museum no. 1978,1002.542) for comparison of iconography and technique
4 950 €
Period: 17th century
Style: Renaissance, Louis 13th
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Gold
Reference (ID): 1720858
Availability: In stock
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