History | Religion | Spirituality
Life in the Details: An Hercule Poirot Investigation of a Vintage Art Déco Medal
Thrifting history — a century-old medallion, Sigmund Freud, the 1918 epidemic, two wars, and the Divine Feminine
When we take on other people’s things, we carry on their story.
Here’s my latest thrift find: a century-old Art Déco Miraculous Medal. A little research hasn’t revealed who originally bought it, but its age, design, and condition offer more clues than you’d think. Like Poirot, we’re left to deduce the story from the details.
The Style
Let’s start with the design. The geometric lines and elegant simplicity suggest this medal was created during Art Déco’s heyday — likely between the two world wars. Art Déco was especially popular in France and Belgium, where craftsmanship of such medals flourished. Fans of Agatha Christie’s Poirot might recognize the style, beloved in the Low Countries, where the eponymous detective was born. But this isn’t just about fashion — this medal carried a spiritual weight far beyond its aesthetic appeal.
