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Pendant

Coins and medals

Anonymous

Late 14th - first half of the 15th century

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Late mediaeval enamelled pendants were the subject of an active antiques dealers' trade in the middle of the 20th century, which has made it difficult to state their places of origin, which have to be established from examples with an archaeological context, through heraldic information or the inscriptions. Their use cannot be as unitary as was previously thought, as ornaments for horse trappings; and, as in this case, there may be numerous human medals, some of which seem to come from tombs. This medal, although totally bereft of its enamel, presents a very clever composition centred upon a letter M inscribed in a seven-pointed star, which in actual fact are trefoils projected symmetrically on the edge, thus forming medallions in which seven flowers are inscribed. The significance of single letters as a decoration for enamels, ceramics or fabrics is very complex. In this case, the company of the flowers may point to the identification with Mary and – if it really is a human medal – it would be a holy amulet, i.e., an invocation to the Virgin to protect the wearer.

Llegir més

Location

Room 19 , Floor 2

18 Leather

19 Gold, Silver and Metalworking Arts

20 Forge Work

21 Ceramics

22 Study Galleries

Detalls de l’obra

PLACE OF EXECUTION

Catalonia

PERIOD

Late 14th - first half of the 15th century

Material

Copper gouged and enamelled

Dimensions

5.8 x 5.7 cm

Origin

Provenance unknown

WORK NUMBER

MEV 9078