What is an 18ct gold medal?

An 18ct gold medal is a small wearable object fashioned from high-purity gold, traditionally worn as a pendant or charm. These pieces often feature religious iconography, floral motifs or symbolic imagery. Created primarily in France during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, they combine miniature sculpture with personal adornment. They serve as both devotional items and decorative jewellery.

How were these medals worn?

These pieces were typically suspended from chains around the neck as pendants or attached to charm bracelets. Their integrated loops and bails made them suitable for daily personal display. Many were given to mark significant life events such as first communions, functioning as keepsakes close to the heart. Their dual utility as pendants or charms allowed for versatile styling.

Who made these medals?

Many pieces were produced by skilled French medallists and workshops during the Art Nouveau and mid-century periods. Master craftspeople signed their miniature works with tiny maker's marks or signatures on the metal surface. Noted creators include Emile Dropsy, Becker, Sellier and Perroud, whose artistic relief work defines the category. These signatures help historians attribute the pieces to specific Parisian and regional studios.

How do I identify the period?

The period is generally identified through stylistic cues such as Art Nouveau floral tendrils, Belle Epoque elegance, or mid-century geometric forms. Hallmarks stamped onto the gold provide official timestamps and regional origins. Subject matter and engraving techniques also shift over time, moving from elaborate naturalism towards streamlined modernist representations by the mid-twentieth century.