Pilgrims Badge Graces Double Strand Labradorite Necklace
SKU: 2005
£250.00Price
- I found this vintage, Pilgrim’s badge in a shop specialising in vintage, handmade, German items, whether it was embroidery, jewellery, buttons or medieval badges, all made between 1940-1960. This pendant badge has been delicately cast in a soft pewter and set off with a gold foil. On one side, there is St. George and the Dragon, a favourite subject for the Medieval pilgrim, demonstrating triumph over evil and adversity. You can see the dragon on the side as its about to be speared, it’s tongue thrust out in defence, while St. George sits nobly on his steed. On the flip side of the pendant, there is the Madonna and Child set in an almost church-like tracery, with the gold foil glinting through, like stain glass windows in the sun. Measuring 4 cm in diameter and 4.7 mm deep, this is a fine piece of workmanship.
- The Pilgrim badge was worn in the late medieval period by pilgrims making the arduous journey to various shrines, where a particular saint’s. reliquary was said to be housed. Usually made of a lead alloy, they were sold as souvenirs at sites of Christian pilgrimage. The badge would bear an image related to the saint venerated at the sacred site.
- The pendant badge hangs on two strands of faceted labradorite (4.5 mm).
- There are three vintage, handmade beads from Afghanistan. The two at the back of the necklace are of silver on hardened resin (12.9 mm), and the bead above the pendant is 18K gold on silver on hardened resin 13.5 mm). Both are made by the ancient Afghan craft of taking sheet metal and moulding it over hardened resin, a technique handed down through the craftsmen of Alexander the Great.
- A handmade sterling silver toggle clasp, created by the Karen hill tribes in Thailand, has been used because toggle clasps are easy to use and secure. My silver name label is attached at the clasp.
- The necklace comes, like all my necklaces, with its own colour co-ordinated silk brocaded pouch bag, made by a Shanghai tailor.
- Length 43 cm (twisted)(17"), or 46 cm (untwisted) (18"), with a 6 cm pendant drop.
