Watch List notes:

Gilt silver religious medal made in Madrid, Spain, for the Virgin of Nuestra Senora de Atocha (Our Lady of Atocha), mid-1700s. 21.68 grams, 2-1/2" tall x 2" wide. An ornate pendant with open-work design showing the Virgin in the center of a balanced and symmetrical tableau of flats, ribbons, trumpets and shells, with N.S. DE ATOCHA engraved on the plain back, integrated loop at top, excellent condition but with small spots of gilding rubbed off at high points. According to legend, the origin of the image of Our Lady of Atocha is very similar to that of Our Lady of Almudena, both patronesses of Madrid, who were created before the Moorish occupation of Spain and withstood their years of domination. She is the patron of the royal house of Spain (her gowns are made from the bridal gowns of queens) and custodian of the Dominicans. The image may be as old as the eighth century and legend says that she was sculpted by Luke the Evangelist and that the apostles Peter and James brought her to Spain to encourage nascent Christianity in the Carpetana region of Madrid. In her right hand, she holds out an apple; in her left, baby Jesus.

Estimate: $200-300