Necklace

Formed by ten alconciles and fourteen hazelnuts, which increase in size from the ends to the center; they are strung on red cotton ribbon (new) tied at the ends. In the center, paten, flat sheet, slightly oval, engraved on both sides, which retain traces of green and blue enamel and niello. It is mounted on a smooth frame, surrounded by several lines of ornamentation arranged in the following order: spiral, cordoncillo, sheet with triangular openwork, spiral and cordoncillo. In profile, five slender spurs with filigree base and lateral scrolls. Round handle. Dimensions alconciles: 7.3 x 2.3 / 5.5 x 2.3 cm. Dimensions hazelnuts: D: 5.4 cm. \In the 14th century the Arcipestre de Hita refers to certain pectoral jewels that, with the names of broncha and pancha, seem to be related to the piece that later became known as patena due to its formal similarity to the piece of the same name belonging to the liturgical trousseau. As shown by the fact that in the inventory of Isabel the Catholic's possessions there are several patens, it seems that these were jewels of the nobility during the 15th century. On the other hand, in Los trabajos de Persiles y Segismunda (book 3, ch. 8) Cervantes implies in 1617 that the paten was already a common piece among villainous people: `Vieron venir...doncellas, sobre el mismo sol hermosas, vestidas a lo villano, llenas de sartas y patenas los pechos` (They saw coming...maidens, on the same beautiful sun, dressed like villains, their breasts full of strings and patens). In a similar context of use, the definition of paten in the Diccionario de Autoridades (1726-1739) refers to a large plate or medal... that is used for adornment by the farmwomen. \In the same way that other jewels, the paten has been fossilized in different places of the Castilian-Leonese area always associated with the popular clothing, so that it has become part of the list of Spanish popular jewels: in La Alberca (Salamanca), where, as we see in this case, it is carried hanging from a large lap that adorns the costume of views; in Zamarramala (Segovia), where it adorns the necklaces of the mayoress; in the so-called leonese necklaces, etc. \This set of jewels was acquired by Elvira Lucena from 'Tía Quina'. According to Francisca Becerro, 'La cirujana', the 'Tía Quina' was María Hoyos.