The Rome - Art Nouveau Era Rose Cut Foil Back Diamond Sapphires Pearls Yellow Gold Pendant
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This exquisite Art Nouveau pendant captures the era's mastery of intricate detailing and vibrant design, featuring two meticulously crafted harpies with expressive male faces and enameled wings in striking vibrant shades. At its center, a large foil-back rose-cut diamond, measuring approximately 8.5 x 8mm, sparkles within a delicate gold setting, surrounded by rich blue sapphires, lustrous pearls, and colorful enamelwork. Foil backing, a technique mostly used pre-20th century, involved placing a thin layer of metallic foil behind the diamond to enhance its brilliance and create a soft, romantic glow ideal for candlelit settings, amplifying the beauty of its hand-cut facets. Originally, this piece was likely a brooch with a retractable FOB bail; at some point, it was converted into a pendant, and an intricate thick bale was attached to the original FOB. If desired, the added bale can be removed, allowing the original FOB to serve as the bail. The harpies, often symbolic of wind or guardianship, add a unique and mythical touch to this vividly detailed masterpiece of late 19th-century artistry. This incredible, museum-worthy piece from the Art Nouveau era is a testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship and artistic imagination of late 19th-century jewelry design
Gemstones: diamond - natural rose cut diamond measuring approximately 8.5x8mm closed back bezel setting. Carat weight of this diamond cannot be estimated due to its unusual shape, rose cut and closed setting but it has a visual appearance of a substantial stone, small nicks along the girdle; old cut sapphires, seed pearls
Metal: 12k-13.5k - gold purity tested at different purities throughout the piece which is not surprizing on a hand crafted artisonal item of this age
Markings: Unmarked (Jewelry made in the United States prior to the 1906 legislation typically did not carry purity markings.)
Total Weight: 14.5 grams
Measurements: 2 3/8 inch drop down lenght (with bail) 1 11/16 x 1 3/8 inch (without bail)
Condition: very good antique condition as consistent with age and normal wear
Items included: a new SOHOJEWELERS box
SKU: JA5377
