Featured Old Pendant of Mary (?)

If you look at the pics I just posted, I don't see a "halo" but it appears she has "rays" emanating from her face and head... This pendant is so interesting!!!

 

Hey Bronwen, I just noticed... if you look to the extreme left, it looks as if there is an empty cross with Jesus' remnants hanging from it. If the woman is indeed caring a "jar" as you and I suspect, perhaps it's Mary Mag bringing spices and oil in the jar to anoint his body after the crucifixion..???

 

It's Mary Magdalen. Often called the Penitent Magdalen, in contemplation, gazing at a crucifix. See cameo versions here:

https://cameotimes.com/index.php/profiles-1/religious/mary-magdalen

Definitely appears to be a little box. Perhaps contents have crumbled inside?

 

So cool! Any idea as to how old the pendant might be?

 

Seems like nothing for sale is being represented as any newer than the 19th century. but who knows if sellers all have it right.

This was interesting: https://lachapelleprivee.com/collections/reliquaries

That frilly decoration around the edge is very distinctive. I do imagery, not this bit. @Hollyblue Do you have any observations on this one?

 

great , now I see a donut !

 

Wow! This gets more interesting by the minute... Thanks Bronwen!

 

Very interesting item!
@Doug Ketcher , I think that your lady (Mary Mag? ....as @Bronwen first noted) is holding a skull, not an animal. And a cross is to the left as in other images of her.

Here's a reliquery I found that is a similar style to yours. And the backside has an image almost like yours.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/195087632795

 

Too cool! Thanks for the info Stracci!

 

I think the red hand coloring on your item was just sloppily applied, that's why the skull looks a bit misshapen. Maybe your is St. Hubertus too?
I dunno, just thinking out loud here.

 

Wow! Excellent point, Stracci... I agree, they do look very similar... Hmmmm....

 

this pic tells me it opens.

 

I looked up St. Hubert & found that the story is that he was out hunting when he encountered a stag with a cross on its head between the horns. He was converted & eventually became a bishop of the Church. The conventions for depicting him are either sporting or ecclesiastical garb, with the cross-headed stag by him.

On the other hand, when I look up Gaspar Huberti, which is what it says on the eBay item, I get things like this:

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG83036

https://www.libraryireland.com/irishartists/gaspar-huberti.php

IMO, the other one is also Mary Magdalen. Either a jar or a skull is appropriate to her.

 

Indeed... I pulled and pried and finally the old crust broke loose, and I was able to pull it apart. Good observation!

 

Thanks for your insightfulness, Bronwen... I concur... Now, I just need to find out how old this is!!

 

Was there a paper inside with tonight’s Powerball numbers?

 

We're going to want to see the inside.

Wouldn't you like to have this one:

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/464469

Not like yours, but in the family:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225458522729

This appears to use the same sort of colored engraving for the image. Seller may be exaggerating the age by a bit.

https://www.rubylane.com/item/286086-3058/MUSEUM-WORTHY-Spanish-Enameled-Reliquary-Pendant

 

Gee, I hope you didn't release all the pent up spirits in there....
Yes, now we need photos of the inside!

 

Thanks Bronwen... I'll see what I can do!!!

 

LOL! I'll give it a shot and hopefully the curse won't come from the reliquary and melt my face off like the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark!!!