AUGIS and GRUN - Gold Biface Pendant Medal

Vintage 18k solid yellow gold (750/1000) pendant medal bearing an eagle's head hallmark and a lozenge-shaped maker's mark. French work from the 1960s, signed GRUN and A. AUGIS. Circular in shape, with a satin finish, it is chased on both sides with beautiful relief and fine details.

The obverse depicts the profile of the haloed Virgin Mary, surrounded by a contrasting, bright gold border. The reverse shows Bernadette Soubirous kneeling before the apparition of the Virgin Mary in the grotto of Massabielle.

Thus, in 1858, Bernadette Soubirous recounted receiving eighteen apparitions of a young girl who, after she asked her name several times, finally replied, "I am the Immaculate Conception." Two inscriptions appear on the back: "ND LOURDES" and "IMMACULEE CONCEPTION" encircling the Virgin's head.

Samuel Grün, born in 1869 in Tallinn, was a French painter and medalist of Estonian origin. He exhibited at the Société des Artistes Français in Paris and at the Royal Academy Salon in London. This medal design was created by Grün for Augis.

Height including the bail: 2.5 cm

Diameter: 1.7 cm

Weight: 2.44 g

Condition: Excellent, like new. Beautiful warm gold color. The medal makes a lovely gift for a birth, baptism, or communion. It's a rare collector's item.

Fast and careful shipping in a new box with an invoice (the presentation box shown in the photo is not included in the sale). Sold without a chain.