Spain, Ca. 1600/1620, 2 Chiseled, Openwork, And Enameled Brass Devotional Pendants
Artist: Espagne, Vers 1620 / 1630
LATE RENAISSANCE JEWELRY, DISPLAY AND DEVOTIONAL OBJECTS
SPAIN, circa 1600/1620
A pair of two superb brass pieces, richly and finely chased, openworked, and enameled. These small reliquaries were intended to hold, in particular, small painted religious miniatures:
*The first, rectangular and enamelled in white and black, is complete, double-walled frame surrounded by a hanging loop. It depicts two angels holding the handles of a large chalice, with a religious cross. The entire piece is framed by a rich decorative border.
* The other, also rectangular in shape, is a chiseled, openwork brass plate (this is the plate intended to close the devotional frame), as indicated by the four small rectangular notches at the center of each of its four sides)
The piece still depicts two cherubs, this time kneeling, holding a monogram “AM”—certainly for “AVE MARIA”—crowned and accompanied by a small figure —Jesus?—standing on a flaming heart and holding, notably, the (terrestrial) globe surmounted by a cross. The decorative pattern of floral arabesques is enhanced on the lower portion by 4 fleurs-de-lis
These medallions, known in Spanish as FIRMZAS, were made around 1600–1620 and may have been intended to serve as reliquaries.
-A very similar piece at the Museo de la Historia de la Ciudad, dated 1617, is illustrated in the book *La Joyería Española desde Felipe II hasta Alfonso XIII*, published by Los Museos Estatales, Madrid, 1988, cat. no. 98, p. 146
-Others are housed at the Louvre Museum (OA no. 2971) (photo attached in document),
-at the Museo Frederic Mares in Barcelona,
-at the Museo Arqueológico Nacional in Madrid
-and at the Lázaro Galdiano Foundation in Madrid.
A very fine gold example also came up for auction on July 5, 2022, Sotheby’s London, lot 271
Comparative bibliography
P.E. MULLER, Jewels in Spain 1500–1800, 1972, pp. 118–120, figs. 183–8
Dimensions:
6.5 x 5 cm (thickness 0,5 mm)
and 5.5 x 5 cm
Condition:
In very good condition, with very rare minor chips in the enamel.
SPAIN, circa 1600/1620
A pair of two superb brass pieces, richly and finely chased, openworked, and enameled. These small reliquaries were intended to hold, in particular, small painted religious miniatures:
*The first, rectangular and enamelled in white and black, is complete, double-walled frame surrounded by a hanging loop. It depicts two angels holding the handles of a large chalice, with a religious cross. The entire piece is framed by a rich decorative border.
* The other, also rectangular in shape, is a chiseled, openwork brass plate (this is the plate intended to close the devotional frame), as indicated by the four small rectangular notches at the center of each of its four sides)
The piece still depicts two cherubs, this time kneeling, holding a monogram “AM”—certainly for “AVE MARIA”—crowned and accompanied by a small figure —Jesus?—standing on a flaming heart and holding, notably, the (terrestrial) globe surmounted by a cross. The decorative pattern of floral arabesques is enhanced on the lower portion by 4 fleurs-de-lis
These medallions, known in Spanish as FIRMZAS, were made around 1600–1620 and may have been intended to serve as reliquaries.
-A very similar piece at the Museo de la Historia de la Ciudad, dated 1617, is illustrated in the book *La Joyería Española desde Felipe II hasta Alfonso XIII*, published by Los Museos Estatales, Madrid, 1988, cat. no. 98, p. 146
-Others are housed at the Louvre Museum (OA no. 2971) (photo attached in document),
-at the Museo Frederic Mares in Barcelona,
-at the Museo Arqueológico Nacional in Madrid
-and at the Lázaro Galdiano Foundation in Madrid.
A very fine gold example also came up for auction on July 5, 2022, Sotheby’s London, lot 271
Comparative bibliography
P.E. MULLER, Jewels in Spain 1500–1800, 1972, pp. 118–120, figs. 183–8
Dimensions:
6.5 x 5 cm (thickness 0,5 mm)
and 5.5 x 5 cm
Condition:
In very good condition, with very rare minor chips in the enamel.
1 700 €
Period: 17th century
Style: Renaissance, Louis 13th
Condition: Perfect condition
Material: Brass
Length: 6,5 et 5,5 cm
Height: 5 cm
Reference (ID): 1823743
Availability: In stock
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