Fascinating Antique Pendant Made of Natural Mother-of-Pearl and Diamonds, France, Circa 1920

Nature's Work of Art

Fascinating Antique Pendant Made of Natural Mother-of-Pearl and Diamonds, France, Circa 1920

€ 4,690.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

Antique pieces of jewellery derive their value from two qualities. On the one hand, there is the craftsmanship, the precision of which and the beauty of the form are often unmatched today. Equally important are the materials, many of which can no longer be found or are no longer used to make jewellery. This pendant was crafted from a large, natural pearl blister. It is an unusual piece—a large, creamy-white drop of mother-of-pearl that formed inside a mussel. Its surface consists of intertwined shapes; it appears organic, dynamic, and unique. It is a product of nature—not a cultured pearl, but a chance discovery in a freshwater mussel, the kind that is now rarely found in Europe. The skilled goldsmith has set the blister with diamonds and transformed it into a precious pendant, featuring settings in white gold and platinum. Its unfortunately faint mark on the side of the pendant loop, together with the gold hallmark in the shape of an eagle’s head, indicates that the pendant was made in France, most likely in Paris. Jewellery featuring bizarrely shaped pearls—so-called “monster pearls”—was all the rage during the Baroque period, when people saw small figures, little people, or animals within the pearls and turned them into curiosities for cabinets of curiosities. Such a figurative interpretation was no longer in vogue by the 20th century, but the anonymous goldsmith could not pass up this precious treasure of the sea either: He therefore created this pendant, which presents the pearl blister as an object—a whim of nature, shimmering in shades of precious white. We discovered the pendant, along with its antique silver chain, in Munich. An independent expert appraisal of the materials is included with the pendant.

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For more information on pearl blisters and how they differ from pearls and blister pearls, see an article by the SSEF in Basel about another ancient pearl blister here.

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Size & Details

Nature's Work of Art

€ 4,690.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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Nature's Work of Art

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