Vintage Gold Medal
A vintage gold medal offers a tangible link to French devotion, artistry and personal milestone commemoration from the late nineteenth century onwards.
Vintage Gold Medal
A vintage gold medal typically takes the form of a pendant or charm designed to be worn on a necklace or added to a bracelet. When searching for a vintage gold medal, buyers encounter various expressions of craftsmanship, predominantly originating from France during periods spanning the late nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century.
The selections on this page heavily feature devotional imagery, including the Virgin Mary, Madonna and Child, and various saints rendered in meticulous detail. Alongside religious subjects, the category encompasses secular motifs such as zodiac signs, floral wreaths, monograms, and sporting achievement awards.
Most examples function simultaneously as medals and charms, often cast in precious gold tones and occasionally accented with enamel, mother of pearl, or seed pearls. These small objects served as personal talismans, commemorative tokens, or markers of significant religious milestones like first communions.
How they were made
Makers utilised high-karat yellow, rose, and white gold, shaping the metal through precise casting, stamping, and engraving techniques. The physical weight of the gold provides a solid foundation for intricate low-relief sculptural portraits and ornate borders.
Enamelling techniques such as plique-à-jour bring translucent colour to surfaces, catching the light behind golden frameworks. Artisans also integrated mother of pearl backdrops and delicate seed pearls to enhance the visual depth of the central subjects.
Vintage Gold Medal Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for vintage gold medal 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.
Materials span yellow, rose, and white gold varieties, frequently paired with enamel and mother of pearl.
What varies in quality
The distinction between standard production and exceptional quality rests largely upon the sharpness of the hand-finishing and the reputation of the medallist. Pieces bearing the signature of established designers display superior depth in facial expressions and drapery folds.
Material combinations introduce further variance, where standard metal discs differ distinctly from those enriched with translucent enamel work or hand-set pearls. The crispness of hallmarks and the subtlety of background texturing determine the overall refinement of the piece.
Emile Monier·Paul Brandt·Mazzoni·Pageli Perriat·Guilbert·Vernon·Emile Dropsy·Sellier·Rasumny·Tairac·Perroud·Becker·Augis·Jules Holy
The Vintage Gold Medal Glossary
- Plique-à-jour
- An enamelling technique where the enamel is applied without a backing, resembling miniature stained glass that allows light to pass through the transparent colours.
- Medallion
- A large medal-like pendant, typically circular or oval, worn as jewellery and often commemorating a person, event, or religious devotion.
- Charm
- A small decorative pendant attached to a bracelet or necklace, often moving freely to display both sides of the miniature sculpture.
- Hallmark
- An official stamp struck into precious metals to indicate the purity standard and the origin or maker of the piece.
- Relief
- A sculptural technique where the figures project from a flat background, defining the three-dimensional portraits seen on these devotional items.
Vintage Gold Medal: Frequently Asked Questions
What subjects appear on these medals?
The subjects predominantly feature religious figures such as the Virgin Mary, Madonna and Child, and various patron saints associated with protection and travel. Other common motifs include cherubs, zodiac signs, hunting horns, and floral wreaths.
Secular and commemorative themes also emerge through initials, monograms, and specific sporting achievements like tennis awards. These diverse subjects reflect the personal, devotional, and celebratory intentions of the original commissioners.
Which materials comprise these pieces?
Gold forms the primary material, predominantly seen in eighteen-karat yellow, rose, and white variations, alongside occasional nine-karat examples. Artisans frequently enhanced these golden bases with polychrome enamel work and iridescent mother of pearl.
Additional textural elements include seed pearls and small diamonds set into the composition. These mixed media applications elevated the decorative impact of the miniature sculptures.
How can one date these items?
Dating relies heavily on stylistic movements, official hallmark stamps, and occasional engraved presentation dates on the reverse. Pieces frequently align with distinct periods including Art Nouveau, Belle Epoque, Art Deco, and mid-century modern design.
Signed works by known medallists also help anchor items to specific active working decades. The specific attire and lettering styles depicted further clarify the historical era of manufacture.
How were these medals originally worn?
Owners typically suspended them from thin gold chains to wear as pendant necklaces close to the heart. Alternatively, individuals attached them to charm bracelets alongside other personal mementos.
Religious medals often functioned as daily protective talismans or gifts for significant spiritual ceremonies like first communions. Travel medals served a specific protective purpose for journeys.