French 18k Gold Medal
These french 18k gold medal pendants span decades of devotion and artistry, offering wearable history crafted from high-purity metal.
French 18k Gold Medal
A french 18k gold medal typically takes the form of a religious pendant, devotional charm, or commemorative medallion issued across the late nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries. Most examples encountered here originate from the period spanning 1890 to 1950, reflecting enduring traditions of European goldsmithing.
Buyers will predominantly find representations of the Virgin Mary, Madonna and Child, and Saint Christopher executed in yellow, rose, or white gold. These pieces functioned historically as personal talismans, baptismal gifts, or markers of religious devotion.
Beyond purely devotional subjects, the selection encompasses secular motifs including zodiac signs, hunting horns, floral wreaths, and geometric crosses. Their versatile scale allows them to be worn easily on modern chains as pendants or added directly to charm bracelets.
How They Were Made
Goldsmiths utilised 18-carat yellow, rose, and white gold to strike or cast these medallions, achieving high durability while maintaining a rich metallic lustre. Surface ornamentation frequently incorporates hand-engraved details that define the drapery of robes, facial expressions, and background halos.
Enamelling techniques such as plique-à-jour impart translucent colour to robes, crosses, and floral motifs by suspending enamel within open gold wire cells. Artisans also integrated seed pearls, mother of pearl, and occasional diamonds to highlight specific focal points on the metal surface.
The listings encompass items spanning the decades from 1890 to 1950, predominantly worked in 18-carat yellow gold alongside accents of enamel and pearl.
What Varies in Quality
Pieces bearing the signature or signature mark of renowned contemporary sculptors command greater appreciation among collectors due to their superior artistic composition. Furthermore, the inclusion of complex vitreous enamel work or handset pearls elevates the technical ambition of the piece.
Emile Monier·Paul Brandt·Mazzoni·Pageli Perriat·Emile Dropsy·Guilbert·Vernon·Sellier·Rasumny·Ovide Yencesse·Tairac·Lasserre·Perroud·Becker·Tricard·Augis·OBC·Lavrillier
The French 18k Gold Medal Glossary
- Plique-a-Jour
- An enamelling technique where enamel is applied in cells without a backing, allowing light to shine through the translucent material much like stained glass.
- Medallion
- A large metal coin-shaped piece minted or cast to commemorate an event, person, or religious figure, frequently fitted with a suspension loop for wear.
- Miraculous Medal
- A specific devotional medal depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary based on apparitions reported by Catherine Labouré in the nineteenth century.
- Rose Gold
- An alloy of gold and copper yielding a warm pinkish hue, commonly utilised in European jewellery production during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
- Relief
- The sculptural projection of figures or ornamentation from a flat background plane, defining the dimensional quality of cast and struck medals.
French 18k Gold Medal: Frequently Asked Questions
What do these gold medals depict?
The majority of these pieces portray sacred figures including the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, and revered saints like Christopher. Secular subjects such as zodiac signs, floral wreaths, and hunting motifs also appear.
Such imagery reflects the personal nature of the pieces, serving as protective amulets or commemorations of significant life events.
How can I tell the period of a medal?
Stylistic indicators provide clear chronological markers, shifting from the flowing organic lines of Art Nouveau through the geometric abstraction of Art Deco. Maker signatures also align with known active working dates of Parisian sculptors.
Examining the specific alloy colour and integration of materials like mother of pearl helps narrow down the production era.
Can I wear these medals daily?
Constructed from 18-carat gold, these pendants possess the durability required for regular wear on appropriate chains. Care should be taken with examples featuring delicate enamel work or seed pearls to prevent impact damage.
Removing the pendant during strenuous physical activity preserves the fine hand-engraved details.
What is a miraculous medal?
A miraculous medal is a specific devotional design showing the Virgin Mary standing on a globe with rays emanating from her hands. This iconography follows a nineteenth-century template intended to confer spiritual protection upon the wearer.
These represent some of the most frequently encountered religious pendants from the era.