An Austro Hungarian pendant. The white, green and blue enamel pendant depicting Saint Sebastian bound to a tree and shot with arrows. Surmount loop and chain added at a later date. Length of chain 50cms. Length of pendant 4.5cms. Weight 34gms.
The condition of this lot is fair, with wear to the enamel. The white enamel is chipped in many places to the face and body. Saint Sebastian was a Christian martyr, he was caught and sentenced to death by the Romans who were persecuting Christians around 287 AD. He was shot with arrows and presumed dead. When St Irene of Rome came to bury his remains, she found him barely alive and nursed him back to health. He was captured again after criticizing the Roman Emperor Diocletian and sentenced to death by clubbing, as a result he was crowned with double martyrdom.