1857 Italian Religious Medal – Madonna & Temple – Bronze 50mm – Cholera Votive Italy – 1857 Large Bronze Religious / Votive Medal Madonna and Child – Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Cholera Diameter: 50 mm Offered here is an impressive large bronze religious medal dated Anno Domini 1857, issued as a votive and commemorative piece in thanksgiving for protection from a cholera epidemic. These medals were commonly produced in northern Italy, especially in Lombardy and Piedmont, where outbreaks occurred in 1854–1855. ⸻ Obverse Beautiful high-relief depiction of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus, crowned and enthroned, surrounded by drapery. Latin legend: “OMNIS HONORE S. MARIA PATRONA INCOMPARABILIS” (“All honor to Holy Mary, incomparable Patroness.”) A star mintmark beneath. ⸻ Reverse A neoclassical temple façade with six columns. Around the border: “CLAVARESTES A DIVO COLERA SERVATI NOVEMB.” (“The inhabitants of Clavarense [or similar locality] saved by God from cholera, November.”) In exergue: ANNO DOMINI 1857 This type belongs to the iconic 19th-century Italian devotional medals created to commemorate deliverance from epidemics. ⸻ Material Bronze, with an attractive natural antique patina. ⸻ Diameter 50 mm – impressive display size. ⸻ Condition Very good condition for a mid-19th-century bronze religious medal. Sharp relief, minor age spots and handling marks, clean patina. A beautiful and well-preserved specimen. ⸻ A Historical Devotional Piece These medals are part of the Italian tradition of producing commemorative religious objects after epidemics. They are collected for their artistic engraving, religious iconography, and local historical importance.