Medallions

Since the turn of the 20th century, the so-called “marys”, or small medallions with Mary, were a very important element of small devotional jewellery. There were many types and variants of them. They were worn hidden under clothes or attached to necklaces (sometimes several at once), also strung on ribbons. The town of Częstochowa was the centre of production of most devotional items. Medallions made of multi-coloured glass were especially popular. Usually convex glass was set in a narrow, brass frame. One side of the medallion usually showed the Madonna of Częstochowa, the other the Monastery on Jasna Góra in Częstochowa.