This large, silver pendant has a miniature painting of the saint Agnes on a piece of parchment behind glass. She can be recognized by her attributes, a martyr's palm and a lamb, lovingly gazing up at her. On the left, a beam of sunlight highlights her divine status.
According to tradition, Agnes was born in AD 291 as a member of in an early Christian family of noble Roman descent. She suffered martyrdom at the age of 12 or 13 during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian on 21 January 304.
Reliquary pendants like these were worn for their supposed protected properties, and would often contain an image of a saint at the front, and a relic (for instance a small piece of cloth or hair) of said Saint at the back. In this example the back is empty, and only contains a piece of protective paper. The design of the pendant suggests it was made in Italy.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 70 x 60 mm, excluding the bale and jump ring.
Weight: 39.30 grams.
Age: First half of the 18th Century, 1700 - 1750.
Material: Acid tested as silver.
Condition: In good antique condition with signs of wear and age. The setting, which is made up of petal-shaped rivets, has some damage but still holds the miniature securely.
Please note that the antique box is for display purposes.