Vintage Virgin Mary Medal
A vintage virgin mary medal brings personal devotion and fine French craftsmanship together in small wearable pendants.
Vintage Virgin Mary Medal
A vintage virgin mary medal is a religious pendant worn close to the heart, combining personal faith with intricate metalwork. The pieces gathered here are predominantly French in origin, spanning the late nineteenth century through to the mid-twentieth century.
Buyers will encounter various forms, including traditional oval pendants, charms, and detailed medal necklaces. The Madonna and Child subject appears frequently alongside depictions of Notre Dame of Lourdes and the Miraculous Medal.
Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Victorian stylistic influences shape the metal frames and surrounding borders. Most examples on this page date from the nineteen-tens, reflecting a prolific era for French devotional jewellery.
How they were made
Goldsmiths utilised eighteen-carat yellow, rose, and white gold to construct the frames, mounts, and suspension loops for these pendants. Stamped or cast figures of the Virgin Mary are soldered or bezel-set into these precious metal mountings.
Enamelwork, including translucent plique-a-jour, adds colour to the backgrounds and floral motifs surrounding the central figures. Mother of pearl discs and tiny seed pearls provide shimmering contrast against the polished gold surfaces.
Vintage Virgin Mary Medal Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for vintage virgin mary 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.
Some medals feature pierced openwork frames so delicate they resemble lace cast entirely in solid gold.
What varies in quality
The complexity of surrounding decorative elements dictates the tier of craftsmanship. Pieces incorporating hand-applied plique-a-jour enamel or perfectly matched seed pearls represent a higher standard of production than plain gold discs.
Emile Monier·Emile Dropsy·Sellier·Augis Grun
The Vintage Virgin Mary Medal Glossary
- Plique-a-jour
- An enamelling technique where translucent enamel is fired in open cells without a backing, allowing light to shine through like stained glass.
- Miraculous Medal
- A specific devotional medal whose design was based on an apparition reported by Saint Catherine Laboure in Paris.
- Seed pearl
- Very small natural or cultured pearls, often used in clusters or borders around devotional subjects.
- Charm
- A small decorative pendant attached to a bracelet or necklace, sharing stylistic traits with larger medals.
Vintage Virgin Mary Medal: Frequently Asked Questions
How were these medals worn?
Wearers suspended these medals from gold chains, ribbons, or charm bracelets to keep the religious imagery close.
They served as daily protective talismans and expressions of personal piety for the original owners.
How do I date a medal?
Dating relies on stylistic clues such as Art Nouveau curves, Art Deco geometry, and hallmarks stamped into the gold.
Inscriptions on the reverse and recorded maker marks also help narrow down the period of manufacture.
What materials are used?
Goldsmiths fashioned these pieces using eighteen-carat yellow, rose, or white gold for the main body and suspension loops.
Many examples incorporate organic elements like mother of pearl backings, seed pearl accents, and colourful enamel details.