Antique Gold Pendant with Diamonds and Pearls

RELIQUARY PENDANT WITH PEARL Spain or Spanish Netherlands, c. 1620 Gold, rock crystal, enamel, pearl, bone relics Weight 12.9 grams; dimensions 40 ...

AMULET PENDANT WITH FIGA Spain, c. 1620–1630 Jet, silver, and enamel Weight 60.7 grams; dimensions 85 × 49 × 18 mm Large pendant in the shape of a hand carved from jet with a clinched fist in the figa (Spanish higa) gesture. In the palm of the hand is a heart carved in relief and on the back a six-ray star in a circle. The silver mount covers the wrist like a cuff and is decorated with a frilled border, and on the front with collet-set bosses with silver C-scrolls against blue enamel; on the back is a roundel in relief with floral motif. Domed base for the pendant loop in pea-pod form. The figa (also fica or higa) represents an age-old symbol of protection against the evil eye and other demonic threats. Its origins were pagan and buried deep in antiquity. Roman examples, such as one found recently in an archeological excavation in London, also make it clear that the protective qualities are based in a sexual symbolism–particularly the power of the phallus. The Roman bone figa/phallus in effect represents the phallus twice; that is, the gesture made by the figa hand is generally explained as fingers representing the female genitalia (vulva) penetrated by the phallus of the thumb. But other interpretations are less specific, including explanations that the left hand is the feminine principle, and the right hand is the masculine. In Spain, jet figa are common; we see one in the portrait of Anne of Austria the infanta (p. 75). That is not to say that the objects are not sumptuous or treasured. Jet was a very valuable material, and in many examples like this one, the figa is embellished with beautiful enameling or is even gem-studded. Comparable objects occur in equally sumptuous materials such as rock crystal. The enameled setting allows a dating of these objects that otherwise might prove difficult, given that the production of such objects in Spain is so consistent over centuries. Indeed, there is another, even more elaborately carved example in this collection, attached to the “magic belt” (no. 9). That example may belong to an earlier group. That figa includes deeply excavated carving, including on the upper surface, an M-shaped design that Walter Leo Hildburgh links to the heart shape (as it occurs more explicitly on this example). Hildburgh argues that its presence is especially common on these objects and that it originally represented the Sacred Heart of Mary...

Carlo Giuliano HEART-SHAPED PENDANT WITH CHERUB England (London), c. 1880 Gold, enamel, seed pearls Weight 8.6 gr.; Height 33.3 (42.1 with loop) mm; Width 30.8 mm; Of all the Reviv...

Cross Pendant with Rock Crystals Spain or Portugal, late 17th - early 18th century Silver, gold, rock crystal Weight 9.1 gr.; Dimensions 56.3 × 38.8 mm. An elaborate and elegant cross pendant made of silver with rock crystals in closed settings. The center consists of a larger round gemstone surrounded by five irregular-shaped stones forming the cross. The openwork arms have a triangular shape and are formed of facetted rock-crystals in foliate settings. The obverse side of the cross consists of a layer of gold. An extension with two stones and an angular shaped frame is hooked into the pendant loop, probably to be worn on a velvet band. The pendant is in good, wearable condition. After the Reformation, cross pendants were worn mainly in Catholic countries by men, women, and children. During the seventeenth century, the designs became ever more intricate, and the crosses were often embellished with gemstones, such as rock crystals in this example. These were sourced along the Alpine regions of France, Switzerland, Austria, and Southern Germany. The stones gave the appearance of diamonds. The foliate settings are characteristic of late seventeenth- and eighteenth-century jewelry made in Spain...

RELIQUARY PENDANT IN BOOK FORM Probably southern Germany, 1630–40 Gilded silver, verre églomisé Weight 13.2 grams; dimensions 42 × 25 × 12 mm; opens to 40 mm Gilded silver pendant in book form with hinged, lid, corded wire surround, and engraved spine. The front cover of the book is set with a plaque depicting Moses receiving the Law in verre églomisé, and the back cover shows the Sacrifice of Abraham. The scenes are in gold against a red background. When opened, the book reveals two portraits, probably of a husband and wife, wearing seventeenth-century dress. The costumes suggest a date c. 1630-40; the wife holds a daisy. Trefoil-shaped pendant loop on top and bottom, and book clasp. As in the scenario described for the assemblage of these pendant miniature books (see no. 34), this book may have satisfied the desires of a particular patron, perhaps even one of the Jewish faith. The images that have been chosen for the four verre églomisé inserts are somewhat unusual within the group of comparable objects; on the front is Moses, on the back is the Sacrifice of Isaac. On the inside, instead of an iconic or doctrinal image, one sees portraits of the patron and his wife, in their finest dress, contents reminiscent of a modern locket...

ROCK CRYSTAL PENDANT WITH COLUMN France or Italy, 16th century Fire-gilded silver, rock crystal, verre églomisé Weight 96 grams; dimensions 75 × 35 × 21 mm (with loop) Architec...

Antique Russian Gold and three color guilloche enamel Easter egg pendant. The geometric design of this beautiful pendant focuses on the number 8, a number associated with infinity, spiritual balance and a symbol of new beginnings. At the top and base of this egg are a pair of cobalt blue enamel eight pointed stars, each surrounded by eight verdant green enamel butterfly shaped sections which expand into eight central sky blue enamel stylized figure eight lozenges. The entire piece in the guilloche enamel technique, topped by a gold bow ribbon which is hallmarked in the center 56. Traditionally, Russian Easter...

Gold and Silver Diamond Set Enamel Dragon and Lotus Flower Pendant Locket Create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry with this very special and rare...

The “Pink Fish” pendant is part of our jewelry collection. All our sterling silver pieces of jewelry are handmade: it means that none is like the other. As a matter of fact, our aim ...

A beautiful box with fine enamel work studded with Diamonds and Rubies. Similar enamel work can be seen in Indian and Mughal jewellery from centuries ag...

ESTIMATED RETAIL: $5,040 YOUR PRICE: $3,100 - Cabochon emerald, diamond and blue enamel pendant in 18k, with over 3 carats in green emeralds and 0.50 carat in diamond accents. Made i...

A diamond and mother of pearl gun pendant in 18-karat rose and white gold. Whether you are a fan of James Bond or usually root for the Bond Villain, it is hard to ignore this exquisi...