Antique Lourdes Medal, Silver, Very Early Circa 1878 and Very Rare, 1.5x1 Centimetres
Antique Lourdes Medal, Silver, Very Early Circa 1878 and Very Rare, 1.5x1 Centimetres

Antique Lourdes Medal, Silver, Very Early Circa 1878 and Very Rare, 1.5x1 Centimetres

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Antique Lourdes Medal, Silver, Very Early Circa 1872 and Very Rare, 1.5x1 Centimetres

This is a beautiful medal of The Virgin Mary with the depiction of the appearance at the grotto at Lourdes on one side with the basilica of Notre Dame de Lourdes on the other.

Now there are four basilica but at the time this medal was made there was only one.

The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, commonly known as the "Upper Basilica", was consecrated in 1876. It is an impressive, elaborate building in Gothic style, designed by architect Hyppolyte Durand, and on one side seems to emerge directly from the rock of Massabielle (the sanctuary is directly above the grotto). The walls are lined with ex voto plaques, and banners from official National Pilgrimages of the past. It has a series of stained-glass windows depicting various events in the story of Lourdes; the clerestory windows depict Mary as the Second Eve. Construction started in 1862 and finished in 1871.

The exterior is dominated by a 70m spire, and two lesser spires completed later in 1908.

On the medal there is only one spire so it was made before the construction of the other two.

Also, the figure of The Virgin Mary is much closer to the original description from Saint Bernadette and is standing much lower in the grotto than newer versions show her to be so I believe this medal was made before the completion of the basilica.

Over the past seventeen years that I have been in France I have seen many hundreds of Lourdes medals but never one like this.


Please note that all medals, pendants, crosses or other items on this site are vintage or antique and have been previously owned and loved which is reflected in their condition. Where there is any significant damage I will mention it in the description or clearly photograph it.