Medal

Openwork plate in the form of a round arch with an exterior moulding formed by a flat ribbon divided into rectangular cells and with a cresting of rays; the handle is flower-shaped. It has a monstrance between two S-clavet symbols (alluding to slavery as a religious devotion). \This type of medal has been called by some authors a confraternity insignia (or plaque, when its size is especially outstanding). Although adopting different formal aspects (triangular, rectangular, square, oval, ochavados, heart-shaped), technically they are similar, since they are made with molten metal (gold, bronze, etc.) and later decorated with enamels in black, white, blue, yellow and green colours. In them, the cresting is especially noteworthy, composed of caes, veros or drops, tulips, fleurons or fleur-de-lis, as well as the decorative motifs that are arranged on their faces: anagram of the Virgin Mary; anagram of Jesus; symbols of the Passion; chalice and Sacred Form between palms or angels; monstrance; symbol S-lavus, etc. \In view of the large number of pieces preserved, they must have constituted a numerous and common group of jewels in the first half of the 17th century. On the other hand, their iconography, related to the doctrinal currents derived from the Council of Trent (1545-1563), also confirms their proliferation in the Hispanic context at that historical moment. \nWith regard to its origin, Arbeteta (2003: 140) speaks of Toledo, even with reservations. The information was provided in 1927 by Camón Aznar in the catalogue of the Lázaro Galdeano Collection. However, the Libres de Passanties from Barcelona include these models of jewellery, which indicates that they must have been made in various parts of the country.