Medieval European Gilded Bronze “The Sacred Feminine” — Magnificen Vulva Amulet with Elaborate Almond-Shaped Relief (No reserve price)
04
days
18
hours
10
minutes
38
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Current bid
€ 5
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 200 - € 250
 | €5 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €4 | |
 | €3 |
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The Sacred Feminine is a Medieval European pendant amulet in gilded bronze, dated to circa the 11th–16th century AD and decorated with an almond-shaped relief and raised borders.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A remarkable and richly decorated bronze pendant, distinguished by its evocative vulva-shaped composition, beautifully articulated almond-shaped centre, elaborate ornamental borders and striking golden highlights.
The ornament presents an exceptionally expressive design, combining a prominent central almond-shaped relief with a series of carefully arranged concentric borders and decorative elements.
Its symmetrical construction creates a compelling visual impression reminiscent of the sacred feminine imagery encountered in different artistic and religious traditions throughout antiquity.
The Sacred Feminine — Symbol of Life and Creation
The most captivating feature of this ornament is its pronounced almond-shaped central composition, whose elongated oval form may be interpreted as a stylised representation of the female generative anatomy.
Such imagery has long invited associations with fertility, birth, motherhood and the mysterious origins of life.
In a symbolic interpretation, the central form represents the creative power of the feminine principle — the source from which new life emerges and through which the continuity of generations is maintained.
The surrounding decorative framework enhances this impression, appearing almost as a protective enclosure around the central symbol.
The Almond-Shaped Centre — The Sacred Gateway of Life
The central relief is particularly remarkable for its pronounced three-dimensional modelling and richly textured surface.
Its pointed oval outline recalls the vesica piscis, a geometric form that later acquired important associations with sacred imagery, creation and spiritual transformation.
Within the present composition, the almond-shaped centre may be appreciated as a metaphorical gateway between existence and creation.
The raised central element, enclosed within a deeply recessed and golden-toned field, creates a powerful contrast between the inner symbolic form and its surrounding ornamental structure.
Elaborate Borders and Protective Symbolism
The central design is surrounded by multiple raised borders, including an outer band decorated with closely spaced transverse markings.
These carefully arranged elements give the ornament an impressive architectural quality, almost resembling a miniature sacred shrine.
The lower section terminates in a pronounced V-shaped arrangement of raised ornamentation, visually reinforcing the central feminine motif.
In a symbolic reading, these enclosing borders may suggest protection, continuity and the safeguarding of life's creative forces.
Gilt-Bronze Appearance and Remarkable Decoration
The ornament displays a particularly attractive combination of warm golden highlights, dark bronze tones and areas of green patination.
The contrast between the richly coloured recessed surfaces and the raised decorative elements beautifully emphasises its intricate construction.
The central relief retains a textured appearance, while the surrounding borders provide a strong sense of depth and sculptural refinement.
Presented with a silver suspension ring and chain, the ornament forms an unusual and visually captivating wearable pendant.
Object Details
Object: Vulva-shaped symbolic pendant / amulet
Title: The Sacred Feminine
Material: Bronze with golden surface highlights
Decoration: Elaborate almond-shaped central relief, concentric raised borders, textured central ornament and V-shaped lower terminal
Dimensions: 36 × 23.5 mm
Symbolic associations: Fertility, motherhood, creation, feminine power, renewal and protection
A fascinating and highly decorative ornament whose expressive almond-shaped centre and elaborate golden-toned framework evoke the enduring symbolism of the sacred feminine — the mysterious source of life, creation and renewal.
A remarkable and richly decorated bronze pendant, distinguished by its evocative vulva-shaped composition, beautifully articulated almond-shaped centre, elaborate ornamental borders and striking golden highlights.
The ornament presents an exceptionally expressive design, combining a prominent central almond-shaped relief with a series of carefully arranged concentric borders and decorative elements.
Its symmetrical construction creates a compelling visual impression reminiscent of the sacred feminine imagery encountered in different artistic and religious traditions throughout antiquity.
The Sacred Feminine — Symbol of Life and Creation
The most captivating feature of this ornament is its pronounced almond-shaped central composition, whose elongated oval form may be interpreted as a stylised representation of the female generative anatomy.
Such imagery has long invited associations with fertility, birth, motherhood and the mysterious origins of life.
In a symbolic interpretation, the central form represents the creative power of the feminine principle — the source from which new life emerges and through which the continuity of generations is maintained.
The surrounding decorative framework enhances this impression, appearing almost as a protective enclosure around the central symbol.
The Almond-Shaped Centre — The Sacred Gateway of Life
The central relief is particularly remarkable for its pronounced three-dimensional modelling and richly textured surface.
Its pointed oval outline recalls the vesica piscis, a geometric form that later acquired important associations with sacred imagery, creation and spiritual transformation.
Within the present composition, the almond-shaped centre may be appreciated as a metaphorical gateway between existence and creation.
The raised central element, enclosed within a deeply recessed and golden-toned field, creates a powerful contrast between the inner symbolic form and its surrounding ornamental structure.
Elaborate Borders and Protective Symbolism
The central design is surrounded by multiple raised borders, including an outer band decorated with closely spaced transverse markings.
These carefully arranged elements give the ornament an impressive architectural quality, almost resembling a miniature sacred shrine.
The lower section terminates in a pronounced V-shaped arrangement of raised ornamentation, visually reinforcing the central feminine motif.
In a symbolic reading, these enclosing borders may suggest protection, continuity and the safeguarding of life's creative forces.
Gilt-Bronze Appearance and Remarkable Decoration
The ornament displays a particularly attractive combination of warm golden highlights, dark bronze tones and areas of green patination.
The contrast between the richly coloured recessed surfaces and the raised decorative elements beautifully emphasises its intricate construction.
The central relief retains a textured appearance, while the surrounding borders provide a strong sense of depth and sculptural refinement.
Presented with a silver suspension ring and chain, the ornament forms an unusual and visually captivating wearable pendant.
Object Details
Object: Vulva-shaped symbolic pendant / amulet
Title: The Sacred Feminine
Material: Bronze with golden surface highlights
Decoration: Elaborate almond-shaped central relief, concentric raised borders, textured central ornament and V-shaped lower terminal
Dimensions: 36 × 23.5 mm
Symbolic associations: Fertility, motherhood, creation, feminine power, renewal and protection
A fascinating and highly decorative ornament whose expressive almond-shaped centre and elaborate golden-toned framework evoke the enduring symbolism of the sacred feminine — the mysterious source of life, creation and renewal.
Details
Culture
Medieval European
Century/timeframe
circa 11th–16th century AD
Name of object
“The Sacred Feminine” — Magnificen Vulva Amulet with Elaborate Almond-Shaped Relief
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2025
Material
Gilded Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
1996
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
