This handsome pendant of gold shows traces of enamel in black and translucent blue, and is set with a hessonite garnet and a peridot, and hung with a sapphire. Its timeless design belies its age. While it looks as if it was made in the Nineteenth Century, it actually dates to the mid-Sixteenth Century.The settings of the stones on this pendant are open at the back not only to increase the flow of light into the stone, but to allow direct contact with the wearer's skin. According to medieval and Renaissance beliefs, the magical properties of the stones were of great benefit to the wearer. Such pendants were often made as amulets to protect against danger. This particular pendant bears an inscription to ward off epilepsy and an invocation to God, Jesus and Mary.
1 comment:
I can vouch for the magical feel of having rare and semi-precious jewels next to the skin. :)
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