Saint Margaret Slaying The Dragon

.Saint Margaret of Antioch, standing, defeating the dragon

LAUDIN's workshop

Limoges, France, 16th century

Large enameled copper plate in perfect condition.

Height: 19.3 cm;

Width: 15.7 cm

Wore at the foot of Saint Margaret of Antioch of Pisidie defeating the dragon on a rectangular enameled copper plate, domed.

She is dressed in blue, wearing with her right hand, above the dragon's head, open mouth, a golden cross and with her left hand, the golden palm of the martyrs.

The plate is pierced at the upper edge and surrounded by gold fillets.

The reverse is enameled in very dark blue, almost black and bears the following mention: "Laudin au Faubourg de Maniane in Limoges".

Margaret of Antioch of Pisidie (sometimes confused with Saint Marine or Saint Marina) is a virgin Roman martyr of the 4th century. Her story is taken from the Golden Legend of Jacques de Voragine: converted to Christianity, she made a vow of virginity, repelling the advances of the Roman governor Olybrius, and refusing to abjure her faith. He therefore puts her in prison, where she receives a visit from the devil in the form of a dragon. As she prays, the dragon swallows her, with the cross she held in her hands. Saint Margaret then miraculously pierces the monster's belly with the help of her cross, comes out unharmed, and crushes him like this. However, her martyrdom continued, and she died beheaded in about 305 AD.

Saint Margaret is chosen by popular devotion as the protector of pregnant women, and she is, with Saint Michael and Saint Catherine of Alexandria, one of the three saints who appear to Joan of Arc and entrust her mission to her.

The same representation of the saint is at the Sainte-Croix museum in Poitiers

Limoges, France 17-18th century.