05/05/2024
Pendant
Ceylon (present-day Sri Lanka)
2nd half of the 16th century
Carved rock crystal, carved ivory with traces of polychromy and gilding, gold and pearls
4.6 x 3.8 cm
A double-sided pendant medallion depicting The Virgin and Child (possibly Our Lady of the Rosary holding the Christ Child), on one side, and The Calvary on the other, both carved in minute detail in ivory highlighted in paint and gold. The miniature ivory carved medallions are encircled by a bevelled rock crystal oval frame. Both carvings are protected by a thin cabochon-cut rock crystal oval set on a gold case and frame holding everything in place. The medallion is set in gold mounts (fitted with a gold loop for suspension) with worked edges and decorated with twisted wire, also used in contemporary jewellery made on the island and characteristic of goldsmiths of Tamil origin (badallu).