Votive pendant of St. Mary, c.15th-16th century, Spain

14mm, 0.57 grams. Unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic.

A votive pendant of a saint is a small devotional object, typically worn as a pendant, that is dedicated to a saint and used as a form of prayer, protection, or gratitude. The term votive refers to its purpose as a vow offering - something given or worn in fulfillment of a vow or in hope of divine intervention. These pendants often depict the image or symbol of a specific saint, sometimes accompanied by inscriptions or relics, and were popular in both Catholic and Orthodox traditions. 

People wore or carried votive pendants to seek the saint’s intercession in matters such as healing, safe travel, fertility, or protection from harm. They were also commonly left at shrines or altars as offerings, especially after prayers were answered. Crafted from materials ranging from base metals to precious gold or silver, their religious significance far outweighed their material value.

SKU   x13312-w73832