Antique Photographic Portrait Badge of a Mother Superior on Red and White Enamel Cross, Circa 1890s-1920s

Small cross-shaped badge with arms of textured red-orange enamel between white enamel segments of a ring, framing a domed glass window that holds a real photographic portrait of an elderly nun in a black habit with a broad white guimpe. It hangs from its original wire safety-pin bar.

Badges like this carried the likeness of a revered sister, very often the foundress or Mother Superior of a religious order, and were made for occasions such as her golden jubilee, her funeral or the opening of her cause for sainthood. They were worn by the sisters of the order, by the pupils, nurses and patients of their schools and hospitals, and by the faithful who knew her. Photographic devotional jewelry of this kind was popular from the late 19th century into the early 20th century.

Shows wear consistent with age.