Rare heart-shaped silver devotional pendant composed of two thin repoussé plaques (bracteate-style dies) mounted within a protective frame.
Both sides are enclosed within a decorative beaded border and crescent ornamentation.
The pendant refers not only to the famous Mariahilf shrine in Passau but also to the numerous pilgrimage centres that promoted devotion to this image throughout Central Europe.
Rare.
Obverse: miraculous image of Our Lady of Help (Mariahilf) with the Christ Child, after the celebrated painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder, venerated in Passau from around 1615
S M AVXIL . PASSAV . ETC („Sancta Maria Auxilium, Passavia etc.”).
Reverse: Saint Anthony of Padua holding the Christ Child and a lily stem, the traditional symbol of purity
S . A . DE . PAD . („Sanctus Antonius de Padua”).
Silver, dimensions 32 x 40 mm, weight 9.44 g
