constanius Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 A bit of a mystery is this one, I could do with a few suggestions or perhaps somebody has seen this before and has some info about it.I have some thoughts about the medal but I do not want to influence anyone's ideas so I will post my thoughts later.43mm bronze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drusus Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 I have never seen it before...I like it though...good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art1.2 Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 Neat medal. Can't wait to hear more about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted March 12, 2013 Report Share Posted March 12, 2013 It would appear to be a religious medal from a convent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted March 13, 2013 Report Share Posted March 13, 2013 indo-china perhaps (?) 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted May 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2013 The landscape portrayed appears to be in Cappadocia which has a rather unique feature, Fairy Chimneys. “Fairy chimneys" were formed when lava covering the tuff (consolidated volcanic ash) gave way along preexisting cracks of sloping areas and became isolated pinnacles. They can attain a height of up to forty meters, have conical shapes and consist of caps of harder rock resting on pillars of softer rock" I am not sure if the person depicted is male or female(more likely) but seeing the church/monastery/nunnery etc he/she must be involved with religion. The eye & nose(elongated) are very large in comparision with the tiny chin & lips, giving an orthodox icon impression. Why there is no inscription, especially with the empty space on the reverse is puzzling but perhaps who ever had it made expected the person to be known. What I hoped would help in identification, the small heraldic shield, alas has not given up any clues, just more mystery. The triple mound on the reverse could reflect the landscape and strangely a frame saw is either just behind or is cutting through the hills/fairy chimney! Churches, houses etc were commonly carved into the mountain sides & fairy chimneys in Cappadocia but I can not find the one shown on this medal, that is if it is carved into the hillside & not 'free standing'. Somethings are meant to remain a mystery, someone said "an unidentified medal is just a piece of metal" but I am still glad I own this one. Maybe one day someone will post the answer as to what this is............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted May 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2013 These are just 2 christian religious buildings still standing, one free standing & now converted to a mosque, one carved directly into the rock & now surrounded by a town. Many of them have collapsed or the materials been used for other buildings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsraghead Posted May 24, 2013 Report Share Posted May 24, 2013 You done some serious research even if it ain't. solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted June 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Well I finally cracked it. She is the Black Maddona or The Virgin of Montserrat(Montserrat is a Catalan word which means "serrated mountain" or cut by a saw) the building is the Santa Maria de Montserrat a Benedictine Monastery in Catalonia, Spain. On September 11, 1881, Pope Leo XIII declared the virgin of Montserrat patroness of Catalonia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art1.2 Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Neat medal and great research info. Thanks for the updates and for sharing your adventure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16d Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 Great sleuthing! Any idear on designer/maker/date? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted June 24, 2013 Report Share Posted June 24, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagerap Posted June 25, 2013 Report Share Posted June 25, 2013 I am so glad that I made no suggestions on this. Why? Well for a start I must have at least 8 medals from Montserrat and have visited the monastery many times. Me, observant or what? I've even been on the annual pilgrimage or aplec which, to be fair is more like a mobile feast, party and concert in one. The Catalans know how to enjoy themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 I am so glad that I made no suggestions on this. Why? Well for a start I must have at least 8 medals from Montserrat and have visited the monastery many times. Me, observant or what? I've even been on the annual pilgrimage or aplec which, to be fair is more like a mobile feast, party and concert in one. The Catalans know how to enjoy themselves. I am very jealous re your visits but not so much re your observational skills Once I had finally identified my medal I googled images of Montserrat medals but could find none remotely like it. Are any of your Montserrat medals similar to mine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Great sleuthing! Any idear on designer/maker/date? None really, but if my arm was twisted I would hazard a guess.......1920's- 1930's......but designer/maker?????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 Way to go Constanius! I must sheepishly admit that after your mention of Cappadocia, I was convinced the medal was from a monastery in Turkey, and spent hours searching for that bit of architecture and the crowned figure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 What a story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted July 1, 2013 Report Share Posted July 1, 2013 as always, I have nothing but admiration for your research skills, and your eye for the unusual. nice one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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