1930s Essex Crystal Snowy Arctic Owl 14K Gold Pendant, Reverse Carved & Painted

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1930s Essex Crystal Snowy Arctic Owl 14K Gold Pendant, Reverse Carved & Painted

About the Item

One of the most marvelous reverse carved & painted "Essex Crystals" that I have ever seen - this sizable pendant features a Snowy Owl or Arctic Owl in a detailed winter landscape with snow clad trees and running river. The detail is superb, as is the condition of the painting and rock crystal. Owl Essex Crystals are hard to come by, and this is the first Arctic Owl Essex I've ever found. (I have a fine art painting background, so really love these little works of art) Originally, this was one of a pair of 1930's Art Deco cufflinks; I have removed the back mechanism and added a small 14K gold loop bail with jump ring so it can be enjoyed worn on a chain of your choice. (please note that I have included a few photos of the piece in its previous cufflink form; this is a challenging piece to photograph with the domes rock crystal and resulting reflections - it is much more beautiful in person.) Set in a sturdy 14K gold bezel, the face measures approximately 7/8 of an inch or 22.85 mm. The rock crystal's surface is in very good condition, allowing the finely carved and painted scene to really "pop." The details are lovely, while the mother of pearl sky adds to the atmospheric stillness of the winter day. Even the Owl's claws are fully rendered. I see no losses to the painting - it remains in excellent condition. Including the gold jump ring, the total drop length is a little under 1 1/4 inches or approximately 30 mm. The back of the cufflink is closed, with a polished gold surface though I have not polished deeply where the cufflink fitting once attached. (I tend to be conservative when converting these lovely pieces so as not to disrupt the painting in any way) On my scale, the finished weight is a hefty 8.09 grams. The gold has been tested to confirm purity - the cufflink mechanism had also been clearly marked for 14K gold. A very special piece - especially for fellow bird and wildlife lovers.

Metal:
14k Gold
Stone:
Rock Crystal
Stone Cut:
Cabochon
Weight:
8.09 g
Dimensions:
Diameter: 0.88 in (22.36 mm)Length: 1.25 in (31.75 mm)
Style:
Art Deco
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1930s
Condition:
Additions or alterations made to the original: This was originally part of a pair of 1930's era cufflinks; I have removed the cufflink backing and added a gold bail and jump ring to convert it to a pendant. Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Danvers, MA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU3614221936862