Saint Mary Medallion
A saint mary medallion carries the quiet devotion of French and Edwardian religious life, cast in gold or silver.
Saint Mary Medallion
When you search for a saint mary medallion, you find small devotional pieces designed to be worn close as pendants, charms, or brooches. The forms centre mainly on pendants and charms, alongside occasional brooches.
These items originate predominantly from French workshops spanning the late nineteenth century through to the mid-twentieth century. Most examples date from the nineteen tens, showing distinct regional religious iconography.
You encounter figures of the Virgin Mary, the Madonna and Child, and the Sacred Heart rendered in oval and round formats. These devotional items reflect the craftsmanship of European religious jewellery from the past.
How They Were Made
Enamel work appears on specific brooches, adding colour to the representation of the Madonna and Child. Medals combine stamped or cast body forms with hand-finished bale loops and suspension rings.
Saint Mary Medallion Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for saint mary 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.
Tiny hands diligently engraved miniature halos onto gold discs, ensuring every Madonna possessed her proper celestial geometry.
What Varies in Quality
The choice of precious metal alters the weight and tactile presence of the piece, with heavier 18K gold examples offering a substantial feel compared to lighter constructions. Enamelled surfaces require intact preservation without loss to maintain visual clarity.
Emile Monier·Monier Perriat·Sellier·Dropsy·Monet·Ruffony
The Saint Mary Medallion Glossary
- Medallion
- A large medal-like pendant worn around the neck or attached to a bracelet. These often feature religious imagery on both sides.
- Charm
- A small decorative trinket suspended from a bracelet or necklace. In religious pieces, these depict saints or sacred monograms.
- Pendant
- An ornament that hangs from a chain or cord secured around the neck. They comprise the majority of the items in this category.
- Brooch
- An ornamental piece fastened to clothing with a hinged pin and catch. Edwardian examples utilise silver for this specific mount.
- Enamel
- A glassy substance fused to metal through firing to provide colour. This technique decorates the surface of specific brooches.
- Bale
- The loop attached to the top of a pendant that holds the chain. It allows the medallion to hang straight when worn.
Saint Mary Medallion: Frequently Asked Questions
How were these medallions worn?
People wore these pieces suspended from fine chains around the neck or attached them as charms to charm bracelets. Brooches were pinned directly to garments.
They served as personal devotional items kept close to the body throughout the day.
What materials are used?
The pieces utilise 18K yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and silver. Enamel also appears on specific brooch designs.
Gold variations dominate the selection, particularly in French devotional jewellery.
How do I date a medallion?
Dating relies on stylistic markers, hallmarks, and known active periods of makers like Emile Monier or Dropsy. Most pieces span from eighteen ninety to nineteen forty.
French pieces often carry tiny marks on the metal indicating gold purity and maker identity.
What imagery appears on them?
The iconography centres on the Virgin Mary, the Madonna and Child, and the Sacred Heart. Inscriptions such as Ave Maria or Virgo Virginum accompany these figures.
Such motifs reflect traditional Catholic devotion prevalent in France during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.