Devotional Pendant. Bronze, Enamel, Etc. Spanish School, 17th Century.

Devotional pendant. Bronze, enamel, etc. Spanish school, 17th century.
Shows signs of wear.
Devotional pendant or brotherhood insignia consisting of a frame with a ring at the top, a band decorated with white enamel ovals, and a crest formed of alternating wavy and straight triangular rays, topped with stars; as well as two sides. The front side features a painted image (probably Mary Magdalene in penance). The back features an openwork plate adorned with a figurative enamel design (a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament, a cross inside, and rays of light radiating outward, flanked by two angels, all surrounded by other decorative elements). This devotional pendant (which sometimes served as a reliquary, allowing small objects to be stored between the openwork plate on the back and the image on the front) is considered by experts to be part of a collection of medallions (oval, triangular, octagonal, etc.) produced in Spanish workshops (Salamanca, Toledo, overseas, etc.) primarily between 1620 and 1640, though their origins extend much further back in the Spanish tradition. In general, their iconography reflects a strong influence from the decisions of the Council of Trent.
· Dimensions: 6.5 x 0.5 x 8 cm