ArtsChris : Antiques & Vintage
Antique French Silver Communion Medal Signed F. Rasumny Art Nouveau 1900s Religious Pendant Solid Silver 800 Rare Collectible
Antique French Silver Communion Medal Signed F. Rasumny Art Nouveau 1900s Religious Pendant Solid Silver 800 Rare Collectible
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A rare Art Nouveau treasure, signed by a master engraver. This solid silver First Communion medal was crafted in France in the early 1900s by Félix Rasumny (1869–1940), a documented and respected French medalist whose work appears in major auction records and museum-adjacent collections. Flowing lily motifs frame a veiled young communicant in prayer before a chalice, her halo rendered with delicate radiating engraving — the whole piece a beautiful example of Art Nouveau religious jewelry at its finest.
Type: Religious pendant medal, First Communion
Period: Early 20th century, circa 1900-1910, Art Nouveau
Material: Solid silver, French hallmark 800
Dimensions: 29.8 x 19 mm (1.17 x 0.75 in), weight 5 g
Origin: France
Condition: Very good antique condition, original bail intact
The relief work here is remarkably crisp for its age — the communicant's face is softly modeled, her veil falls in naturalistic folds, and the surrounding lilies curl with the whiplash lines so distinctive of the Art Nouveau period. Every detail, from the chalice at her hands to the floral halo above, is rendered with real sculptural depth rather than the flat stamping common on lesser pieces of the era.
The medal is clearly signed "F. Rasumny," identifying it as the work of Félix Rasumny, a French medalist active in Paris at the turn of the century. His pieces — ranging from religious medals to commemorative and sporting awards — are actively sought after by collectors today, which makes a signed silver example like this one a genuinely uncommon find on the market.
A piece like this deserves to be worn, not just kept. Hang it on a fine chain as a pendant, add it to a charm collection, or display it as a standalone collectible in a jewelry box or shadow box.
It will appeal to collectors of antique French silver, Art Nouveau jewelry enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to religious medals with real artistic pedigree — as well as to those seeking a meaningful gift with history behind it.
Signed pieces by recognized medalists like Rasumny rarely surface in this condition. Between the hallmark-guaranteed silver, the fine Art Nouveau craftsmanship, and the identified maker, this medal offers a rare combination of authenticity, artistry, and collectible value.
This antique French silver communion medal captures the Art Nouveau spirit at its most refined, its Rasumny signature confirming the hand of a genuine French medalist behind a rare and beautifully preserved religious pendant.
Follow along on Instagram @arts_chris_riviera for a closer look at pieces like this one and more antique finds as they come in: https://www.instagram.com/arts_chris_riviera/
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