Antique Icon from Co. Limerick, Ireland

[jondar]

I inherited this when my mother passed on several years ago at agr 77.  She got it from her Dad who got it from his mother, who would be my great-grandmother.  My great grandmother was born in County Limerick, Ireland in 1820 and came to the U.S. around 1852.  She brought this icon with her.  It is a stamped brass figure of the Virgin Mary.  The green stone backing I have been told is Connemara (sp?) marble and backed with brass with a fold out "leg" to prop it in an upright position. I have given it to my daughter and wondered if anyone knew the history or value on something like this.  Thanks for any opinions.

[Dean Perdue]

Hi

I like collecting these type of things and from what I've seen on ebay it looks like it would fall in the $30-$60 dollar range. JMO.

There are a few you'll see here and there on that sight so you can get some type of comparison.

The value could be more or less depending on how well detailed Mary is.

Just wondering if there are any markings on back or by Mary that would help identify it better and maybe help with the value.

[jondar]

Dean,
No there aren't any markings.  I've looked it over carefully with a lens. The icon of Mary itself is removable, held in place by a device of brass on the back of the brass backing.  Which means that someone had to drill a hole thru the marble.  And at the time this was made they didn't have Dreml tools.  I suspect this icon may have been handed down to my g-grandmother and could go back to the 1700's tho I can't prove that.  Thanks for your response.

[Dean Perdue]

The hardware on back might give a clue to it's age.

[jondar]

I'll have my daughter take a picture and e-mail it to me tomorrow.

[KC]

Looking forward to seeing the back side picture.  Dimensions?

Pretty nice piece!!

[jondar]

K. C.  I'll try to post two pictures she sent me.  It has been three years since I saw it and I guess the word device was a misnomer, a better word would be bolt.  The leg is secured at the top so it can swing outward,  The Madonna is secured to the marble front by the brass bolt on the back. Thanks for your interest.   The height is Three and seven eighths inches and width is two and one eighth inches. The Madonna appears to be just under three inches.          Jon

[talesofthesevenseas]

For your great-grandmother to have brought it from Ireland and kept it with her all these years is so neat. I think that's more valuable than any price tag you could put on it! It's lovely and a very special part of her life.

[Dean Perdue]

Totally agree.
Priceless no matter what the dollar value.

[jondar]

Your kind words are appreciayed.      Jon

[KC]

Will look into this....

The words from tales and dean are so true....the true value is in the family history! 

May I suggest that you make a booklet with pics of everyone who has owned it that you know of and a written history to be passed along with it!  This helps family members down the line connect with their family history.  Writ a short paragraph yourself on what it means to you....and how you have researched....what you find out....

Without further proof of age I would value at $150 - $200.

[jondar]

KC - Good thinking.  My wife, I and one son went to Ireland in 1998. First day located a genealogist in Limerick, he gave me one day service on a rundown on what info I had on my g-grandmother, Mary McCarthy. In the report he found she had lived in the small town of Kilmeedie (sp?) and was married in the church there. Drove to that little town in south Limerick county, stopped at a grocers, asked if any McCarthy's lived there, there was one right next door to the grocer.  They had us in for tea and gave us the name of another McCarthy who lived in a beautiful little thatched roof cottage, he invited me in, introduced me to his mother, who immediately said, "Get him a Guiness" which he did. We had a great time for an hour discussing relatives. His name was Martin McCarthy and I sent him all copies of the genealogy report and a box of good cigars.  I'll put all this down in the report.      Jon

[KC]

Those kind of trips are the greatest!  Thanks for sharing your story!

[Dean Perdue]

Here's a eBay icon listing that just sold that kind of reminded me of yours.Was waiting for it to end to see the results.

Definitely isn't the same as yours in appearance, but the hardware on back seemed somewhat similar as well as the date in the item's description.

Until I see one offered that is closer in appearance to yours this is the best I can do for now.
I will  post a more accurate example when one comes along and will keep an eye out.

I think it's amazing stuff like this doesn't bring in higher prices or at least this one did not this time around.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-BRONZE-MEDALLION-ANTIQUE-CATHOLIC-PLAQUE-MEDAL_W0QQitemZ260500362562QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiques_Decorative_Arts?hash=item3ca7081542

[KC]

I agree Dean!

The reason I rated the value higher on this one is the unique brass work...and the stand.  Wall hangings are more common.