Details
A RARE SPANISH GOLD AND ENAMEL RELIQUARY PENDANT BADGE
The oval double-sided pendant pierced with interlaced black and white undulating ribbon ornament and translucent red flowerheads, the detachable cover with crown surmounted by a cross, initial A and winged cherub's head, reverse with stylised cross and heart pierced by three nails, red and white rayed edge and scalloped black and white border, supension ring, early 17th Century, 7.3cm. overall height
Known as 'veneras', or 'hábitos' and 'encomiendas' in 17th Century Spanish documents, these jewels were widely worn by the devout and were useful in identifying membership of a religious confraternity or a religious and military order. The significance of the above example is not clear, although the heart pierced by nails alludes to the Crucifixion and the stylised black and white cross is nearest to that of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as St.John of Malta. The crowned initial could indicate Royal ownership (initial A for owner's name or family name) and the type of jewel would seem to relate to the initialled badges or 'lazos de dama' worn in the 19th Century by ladies of the Royal Household. Cf. Muller, op. cit. pp.114-124 and M. J. Sanz Serrano, La Virgen de Gracia de Carmona, Carmona, 1990, figs.50-52
The oval double-sided pendant pierced with interlaced black and white undulating ribbon ornament and translucent red flowerheads, the detachable cover with crown surmounted by a cross, initial A and winged cherub's head, reverse with stylised cross and heart pierced by three nails, red and white rayed edge and scalloped black and white border, supension ring, early 17th Century, 7.3cm. overall height
Known as 'veneras', or 'hábitos' and 'encomiendas' in 17th Century Spanish documents, these jewels were widely worn by the devout and were useful in identifying membership of a religious confraternity or a religious and military order. The significance of the above example is not clear, although the heart pierced by nails alludes to the Crucifixion and the stylised black and white cross is nearest to that of St. John of Jerusalem, also known as St.John of Malta. The crowned initial could indicate Royal ownership (initial A for owner's name or family name) and the type of jewel would seem to relate to the initialled badges or 'lazos de dama' worn in the 19th Century by ladies of the Royal Household. Cf. Muller, op. cit. pp.114-124 and M. J. Sanz Serrano, La Virgen de Gracia de Carmona, Carmona, 1990, figs.50-52