Renaissance devotional pendant

A double-sided devotional pendant in a high carat gold and enamel mount, circa 1650. The obverse depicts St. Jerome and the reverse depicts Mary Magdalene, both portraits painted on glass under crystal. Both figures are portrayed with skulls to remind us  of our mortality and the brevity of earthly life. Mary Magdalene’s heavenwards’ gaze and retreat into the wilderness symbolise her sincere penitence. St. Jerome, the patron saint of translators, librarians and encyclopedists, retreated into the wilderness to contemplate the brevity of mortal life. The pendant measures 1.5 inches by 1 and 1/4 inches and has survived in fine condition.

£1950

St. Jerome, Workshop of Veronese (Paolo Caliari)
Italian, 1528-1588