Brooch, Devotional annular 'Ave Maria', 13th century

Annular brooches were used for securing clothing, however the delicate nature and small size of this example suggests a purely decorative use. The legend, in Lombardic letters, is partly illiterate and the word Invan cannot be fully interpreted. Badges such as this would have been worn as a protective talisman and a means of invoking the protection the Virgin Mary.

Description: With the engraved legend, ‘Ave Maria Gracia Plena Invan’ (Hail Mary full of grace)
Period: 13th Century
Size: 27mm diam.
Material: Lead free pewter
Original: Found in London