Double-sided carved ivory medallion depicting the Virgin and - Lot 33

Double-sided carved ivory medallion depicting the Virgin and Child with cloak crowned by two angels on one view, and Saint George slaying the dragon on the other. Ivory: Spain, late 18th century Mounting: Austria-Hungary, first half of 19th century. Sold with Cites certificate. Expert: Cabinet Fligny, Paris. Height: 7.7 cm - Width: 4.8 cm - Gross weight: 19.1 grams. The iconography of this medallion, particularly that of the Virgin and Child, is close to that of the Virgin venerated in Spain, Our Lady of Núria, whose statue was discovered in a cave at the end of the 17th century, when a pilgrimage also developed. This type of medallion was intended to ensure the protection and foster the veneration of a saint, in this case probably this Virgin as well as Saint George. Book consulted: S. Cassagnes-Brouquet, Vierge noires, Éditions du Rouergue, 2000, p.47-49.