{"product_id":"antique-french-bronze-medal-virgin-and-child-by-elie-pellegrin-virgo-protegat-te-vintage-religious-medallion","title":"Antique French Bronze Medal Virgin and Child by Elie Pellegrin - Virgo Protegat Te - Vintage Religious Medallion","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA substantial devotional medal cast in bronze with a deep, aged patina, signed by the sculptor Elie Pellegrin. The Virgin is shown in profile, the Child nestled against her cheek, in finely worked relief — her hair, the radiating halo, and the inscription VIRGO PROTEGAT TE stand out crisply against the darkened background. An authentic piece of 20th-century French Marian devotion, striking in its size and presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eType: Religious devotional medal\u003cbr\u003ePeriod: 20th century\u003cbr\u003eMaterial: Bronze\u003cbr\u003eDimensions: 67 mm diameter (2.64 in), 89 mm total height with bail (3.5 in), weight 10.6 g\u003cbr\u003eOrigin: France\u003cbr\u003eCondition: good vintage condition, period patina visible on the reverse, consistent with age\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe relief is crisp and generous, with the fine-grained finish typical of hand-worked bronze: the Virgin's facial features, the Child's hair, and the capital lettering are all executed with precision, free of blur or blunting, evidence of a carefully finished die. The reverse, left plain and patinated, carries the engraver's signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe piece is signed Elie Pellegrin (1914-2004), a French sculptor based in Chamonix from 1945. A deeply devout artist, he dedicated most of his work to religious subjects — crucifixes, figurines, medals — and developed a highly personal metal enameling technique (on bronze, copper, silver, and gold) admired by art collectors. By the 1960s his style had turned distinctly modern, almost avant-garde. He opened a workshop-boutique in 1968 and received commissions from across France and abroad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis medal can be worn as a pendant on a long chain, displayed on a desk or shelf, or added to a collection of antique religious medals. It will appeal to collectors of sculptor-signed medals, admirers of 20th-century sacred art, and anyone seeking a signed piece to gift or pass down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAuthentic, signed, and carefully executed, this medal combines devotional meaning with genuine collector interest — a rare find in this size, by a recognized artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis bronze Virgin and Child medal signed by Elie Pellegrin, with its Virgo Protegat Te inscription and generous size, is a standout piece for collectors of antique French religious medals and admirers of 20th-century sacred art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFollow along on Instagram @arts_chris_riviera for new arrivals and a closer look at each piece: \u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/arts_chris_riviera\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.instagram.com\/arts_chris_riviera\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ArtsChris : Antiques \u0026 Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58495244501327,"sku":null,"price":245.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0835\/8363\/1695\/files\/DSC_0631_8e57e762-16ac-4afa-9e7b-3528b07ccd6f.jpg?v=1786961553","url":"https:\/\/artschris.com\/products\/antique-french-bronze-medal-virgin-and-child-by-elie-pellegrin-virgo-protegat-te-vintage-religious-medallion","provider":"ArtsChris : Antiques \u0026 Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}