Mellerio dit Meller - Lot 281

Mellerio dit Meller Delightful silver pendant in the shape of a scallop shell on which the archangel St. Michael strikes down the dragon. Fleur de Lys hanger. Weight: 9.3 g On the back are the inscriptions: "708/3 Juillet 1877/Defende nos in praelio" and the House signature. On July 3, 1877, against a backdrop of historical turmoil, the national crowning of the statue of St. Michael led to a sumptuous order for jewelry created by the famous goldsmith and jeweler, Jean Mellerio. Magnificent festivities were held in the abbey church, celebrated by the bishop of Coutances, Abel-Anastase Germain, in the presence of a cardinal, eight bishops and a thousand priests, attracting 25,000 pilgrims. Le Bijoutier created the Archangel's crown and dagger in sumptuous workmanship. He produced an extremely limited series of these inauguration souvenirs for the local eminences and celebrities present that day.