3-021-161 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Gold repoussé medallion, by A. Vechte, 1869. 'This costly and beautiful work of art...was designed to commemorate the dogma of the immaculate conception of the Virgin solemnly confirmed by the Papal conclave...[It] is probably the largest of its kind ever executed in gold...In the centre is a noble draped figure of the Blessed Virgin, full of modesty, purity, and majesty. Under her feet are the usual emblems of the mystery, the crescent, and the crushed serpent; above her head the crown of stars, amidst rays of light, which are shed upon her from the mystic dove on high. Near her feet are our two first parents - Adam, to whom an angel is showing the great mystery...and Eve, on the left, crouching down in penitent humility before her who was coming to reverse the curse which her transgression had brought on her descendants...[On the left] is the act of proclamation...by his Holiness Pius IX...This medallion has been purchased chiefly by subscription amongst the Catholic clergy of England and Scotland, and presented by them to the Pope on the occasion of the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of his saying his first mass...the medallion was executed for the well-known firm of Messrs. Hunt and Roskell'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.