935 Silver - Antique Religious - 2-Sided Pendant - 19th C Rome - Original Box for Sale

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935 Silver - Antique Religious - 2-Sided Pendant - 19th C Rome - Original Box For Sale

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935 Silver - Antique Religious - 2-Sided Pendant - 19th C Rome - Original Box:
$26.00

This exquisite enameled 935 Argentium silver pendant was likely purchased at the end of the nineteenth century by a traveler on a \"European Grand Tour\". It\'s in its original box from the shop where it was purchased, marked \"Ditta, Nicola Calabresi, Piazza della Minerva 76, Roma.\" I found an advertisement for this same shop in a 1893 Rome Guide Book. The shop of Nicola Calabresi is not there today, but it\'s interesting to Google that address. Piazza della Minerva is a small piazza just behind the Pantheon where the church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is located. The pendant is two-sided, with the Madonna and child on one side and, on the other side, Christ is depicted, pointing to the sacred heart that symbolizes his passionate love for mankind. His right hand is raised in blessing.The pendant is in very good condition with a bit of loss to the blue enamel over the faces. Presumably the pendant was often rubbed there, wearing away the blue enamel and uncovering the silver. This is Argentium silver which is 935 parts per 1000 (at least 93.5% pure silver) and a higher purity than 925 which is considered \"sterling\" today.The pendant has been stored for well over a century on a bed of cotton inside a carefully crafted box made of heavy papers -- coated white paper inside, felted tan paper outside, with edges painted with gold. Inside the lid, the shop\'s name and address are printed in blue. The little round box is in excellent condition -- amazingly so. Even the paper hinge is still perfect.