French Love Trap Gold Garnet Charm Pendant

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French Love Trap Gold Garnet Charm Pendant

About the Item

An rare and unusual French charm pendant designed as a garnet heart in a mouse trap, which opens with a slide mechanism to the reverse to reveal the words "TEL EST CROYAIT PRIS QUI PRENDRE" - "Thus he is caught who thinks to catch"; the moral from the fable of the Rat and the Oyster by Jean de la Fontaine (also told by Aesop). The full fable may be found below. A delightful love charm with a wry and charming tale behind it. French marks, 3/4" by 1/3" The Rat and the Oyster A country rat, of little brains, Grown weary of inglorious rest, Left home with all its straws and grains, Resolved to know beyond his nest. When peeping through the nearest fence, ‘How big the world is, how immense!’ He cried; ‘there rise the Alps, and that Is doubtless famous Ararat.’ His mountains were the works of moles, Or dirt thrown up in digging holes! Some days of travel brought him where The tide had left the oysters bare. Since here our traveller saw the sea, He thought these shells the ships must be. ‘My father was, in truth,’ said he, ‘A coward, and an ignoramus; He dared not travel: as for me, I’ve seen the ships and ocean famous; Have cross’d the deserts without drinking, And many dangerous streams unshrinking; Such things I know from having seen and felt them.’ And, as he went, in tales he proudly dealt them, Not being of those rats whose knowledge Comes by their teeth on books in college. Among the shut-up shell-fish, one Was gaping widely at the sun; It breathed, and drank the air’s perfume, Expanding, like a flower in bloom. Both white and fat, its meat Appear’d a dainty treat. Our rat, when he this shell espied, Thought for his stomach to provide. ‘If not mistaken in the matter,’ Said he, ‘no meat was ever fatter, Or in its flavour half so fine, As that on which to-day I dine.’ Thus full of hope, the foolish chap Thrust in his head to taste, And felt the pinching of a trap — The oyster closed in haste. We’re first instructed, by this case, That those to whom the world is new Are wonder-struck at every view; And, in the second place, That the marauder finds his match, And he is caught who thinks to catch.

Metal:
18k Gold,White Gold,Yellow Gold
Stone:
Garnet
Weight:
2.97 g
Dimensions:
Height: 0.25 in (6.35 mm)Width: 0.38 in (9.66 mm)Length: 0.75 in (19.05 mm)
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1940
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU73337797242