Unknown artist, Medallion with the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, 1800s. Gilt silver filigree; 2½ in. dia. Gift of the Stapleton Foundation of Latin American Colonial Art, made possible by the Renchard family, 1990.625.

diameter: 2.5 in, 6.3500 cm

Mayer Center, Latin American Art

Latin American Art

This object is currently on view

Filigree, or metal lace, as it was aptly called, is the technique of fashioning objects from thin metal wire. An ancient technique in both Europe and the Americas, it continued to be used throughout the Spanish colonial era. This filigree medallion indicates that the person who wore it was probably a member of a lay organization dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, shown in the center.

-- Julie Wilson Frick, 2017

Gifted 26 December 1990 by the Stapleton Foundation of Latin American Colonial Art, made possible by the Renchard Family, to the Denver Art Museum. Provenance research is on-going at the Denver Art Museum. Please e-mail provenance@denverartmuseum.org, if you have questions, or if you have additional information to share with us.

• Glitterati: Portraits & Jewelry from Colonial Latin America (December 2014 - November 2016, Denver Art Museum)