This antique oval silver vermeil medallion is a French pilgrimage souvenir from Lourdes, likely dating to the late 19th century. It pairs a deep blue glass ground with a gilt beaded frame and a raised silver relief of a Marian scene on one side, while the reverse reads "SOUVENIR DES LOURDES" around a silver cross. Hallmarked on the bail, it reflects the artisanal jewelry tradition that flourished around the French Marian shrine.
Type: Religious medallion, pilgrimage fob
Period: Late 19th century
Material: Silver vermeil, blue glass
Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 6 mm (0.83 x 0.55 x 0.24 in)
Origin: France, Lourdes
Condition: Age-appropriate patina, hallmark visible on the bail — see photos
The figural relief on the front is finely modeled, with well-defined drapery despite the medallion's small scale. The deep blue glass ground sets off the silver cross on the reverse, framed within its own inscribed medallion. The beaded gilt border runs evenly around the piece, a mark of careful workmanship typical of late 19th-century pilgrimage jewelry ateliers.
Wear it alone as a pendant (chain not included) or add it to a collection of antique religious jewelry. It will appeal to collectors of French antiques, pilgrimage medal enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to a Marian keepsake with genuine history — an authentic, hallmarked piece rarely found on the vintage market today.
This antique silver vermeil medallion, a Lourdes pilgrimage souvenir with its silver cross and deep blue glass ground, is a genuine piece of 19th-century French religious jewelry, perfect for collectors and lovers of antique spiritual keepsakes.
Follow along on Instagram @arts_chris_riviera for new arrivals and a closer look at each piece: https://www.instagram.com/arts_chris_riviera/
