LOT 0420

Medieval Silver Pendant with Mother-of-Pearl Scene of Virgin and Child

GERMANY, 15TH CENTURY A.D.

2 3/4 in. (20.5 grams, 70 mm).

Tear-shaped frame with loop and irregular dangle below; carved nacre relief of the Virgin and Child; Mother of God shown crowned and in profile, tenderly supporting the Christ Child on her lap; applied gold Corpus Christi to reverse.

Private collection, Europe.
Acquired on the German art market.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13056-248332.

For a related example, see Christie’s, The Collector Online, “A German Parcel-Gilt Silver and Mother-of-Pearl Pendant Depicting St Anne,” Lot 118, 2020.

The carving, with its luminous iridescence and softly modelled planes, captures both the sacred intimacy of the subject and the shimmering qualities of the material. The mount is worked in silver with chased foliate detail and suspends a natural baroque pearl drop. The reverse is finely engraved with radiating rays, clouds, and the inscription INRI, centred by a parcel-gilt figure of the Crucified Christ affixed to the ground. This juxtaposition of the Virgin and Child with the Passion underscores the dual themes of Incarnation and Redemption, reflecting late medieval devotional practices.