Antique Catholic Medallion
An antique catholic medallion is a personal devotional pendant cast in gold and worn close to the heart.
Antique Catholic Medallion
An antique catholic medallion is typically a French devotional medal cast in gold and suspended as a pendant or charm. These pieces often depict the Virgin Mary, the Madonna and Child, or the Sacred Heart, shaped in oval or round forms.
The versions most common here originate from the late nineteenth century through to the mid-twentieth century, heavily influenced by French religious art and Art Nouveau styles. They combine personal faith with fine jewellery craftsmanship, intended to be worn daily.
Most examples found on this page are fashioned from eighteen-carat yellow, rose or white gold, sometimes accented with mother of pearl or enamel details. They serve simultaneously as portable shrines and wearable items of adornment.
Distinctions in Quality
The integration of decorative elements such as plique-a-jour enamel or tightly set seed pearls separates standard production pieces from finer artisan examples. Preservation of the original surface finish without excessive polishing maintains the integrity of the design.
Antique Catholic Medallion Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for catholic medallion among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings span periods from 1890 to 1950, with a strong concentration of French devotional pieces produced around 1910.
Emile Monier·Emile Dropsy·Mazzoni·Sellier·Tairac
The Antique Catholic Medallion Glossary
- Medal
- A flat piece of metal struck with a devotional design, worn as a pendant or carried on a chain. These often commemorate sacred figures or protective saints.
- Plique-a-jour
- An enamelling technique where enamel is applied in cells without a backing, producing a stained-glass effect that lets light through. It appears frequently in Art Nouveau French pieces.
- Sacred Heart
- A Catholic devotional image representing the physical heart of Jesus Christ as a symbol of divine love. It is commonly shown encircled by thorns or surmounted by flames.
- Mother of pearl
- The iridescent inner layer of certain mollusc shells, carved into thin plaques to form the background of a pendant. It offers a luminous surface for raised gold figures.
- Seed pearl
- A very small natural or cultured pearl used in delicate borders or floral motifs around the central image. They add a quiet texture to the gold frame.
Antique Catholic Medallion: Frequently Asked Questions
What do these medallions depict?
These pendants typically portray central figures of Catholic devotion, including the Virgin Mary, the Madonna and Child, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Other common subjects feature specific saints such as Saint Christopher or Saint Therese.
The iconography follows traditional religious themes, often framed by floral motifs or rays of light rendered in gold, enamel, or mother of pearl.
How were these religious medals worn?
Owners historically wore them suspended from necklaces or carried them within pockets as personal talismans of protection and faith. They functioned as portable shrines for daily prayer and devotion.
Many examples feature integrated loops or rings designed specifically for attachment to chains or charm bracelets.
How can I date an antique catholic medallion?
Dating relies heavily on stylistic markers such as Art Nouveau curves, hallmarks stamped into the gold, and the specific rendering of the devotional figures. French pieces from this era frequently bear maker marks and assay stamps on the suspension loop.
The materials used, such as plique-a-jour enamel combined with eighteen-carat yellow or rose gold, point toward the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.