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Miniature circular silvered metal medal with eyelet for suspension; the face with the head and shoulders portrait of Saint Catherine of Siena facing forward right, an upright lily to the right, after the central panel of the polyptych by Andrea Vanni of Siena (ca. 1332 to ca. 1414) in the Church of Santo Stefano alla Lizza, Siena, circumscribed ‘SA. CATARINA A SIENA OPTIMA VIRGO’, inscribed on the edge ‘Andrea Vanni pinx’; the reverse with a spray of lilies to the left; diameter 16.24mm (0.64 inch); slight wear to silvering; on an old ribbon in the colours of Siena mounted for wear. Caterina di Giacomo di Benincasa was born in Siena on 25 March 1347 and died at Rome on 29 April 1380. She was canonised in 1461 and is one of the two patron saints of Italy.
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