Renaissance More Objets d'Art and Vertu

This beautiful cameo brooch/ pendant depicts the Last Supper in great detail. A true cameo is a miniature sculpture in relief, carved from a single shell. Travelers touring Europe he...

OCTAGONAL RELIQUARY PENDANT Probably Italy, c. 1600 Fire-gilded brass, glass, velvet, ink on paper Weight 63.2 grams; dimensions 82 × 47 × 21 mm (with loop) Physical description: Double-sided pendant in octagonal form made of fire-gilded brass. Both sides of the pendant with deep profiled frames with glass. The slightly indented side panels comprise openwork friezes with symmetrical scrollwork. On the front is dark red velvet, onto which tiny bone relics of saints (now missing) would have been attached. Labels on a lace-like paper silhouette remain, with names written in ink, mostly faded; only “S. Agnes” is legible. The back is hinged and when opened reveals a velvet-lined interior and paper insert with floral decorations on a turquoise ground, on which fragments of bones are attached. Baluster shaped base for shield-like pendant loop and ring. This reliquary pendant is difficult to situate historically because it is a composite object. It represents traditional handwork in the form of a paper cutout, combined with a jeweler’s beautiful fire-gilt brass case. The work of paper cutting, painting, and ornamentation, sometime combined with needlework, is comparable to work still being done in the nineteenth century by nuns and pious ladies. It is prayerful work, a devotional exercise in itself, and shows reverence to the tiny relic fragments that it would have framed and honored. Early versions of this sort of handiwork might be found in the meticulous displays sometimes called “Paradise Gardens.” These were made, beginning in the sixteenth century, by the nuns at Mechelen, in northern Belgium, in multimedia handwork displays of sewing and gluing, combining relics with paper, cloth, glass, metal wire, and found materials. These textured and pious displays were then combined with paintings and cases by professional artists and artisans, as in the example in Cassel. Unfortunately, because of water damage, only one of the labels of the original relic displayed in this reliquary is legible, inscribed “S. Agnes” at the center top; the other names are faded. Presumably the deep velvet-lined box would have also held an assortment of relics other than the ones that were visible through the glass, and perhaps there would have been another display in the glass on the other side of the pendant. There is a second paper insert, this one decorated with a turquoise ground and silhouette flowers to which bone fragments seem to be still attached. The octagonal case, in contrast to the paper cutout, is not at all “home-made.” It has an openwork frieze in scrollwork patterns familiar from enamel work and other metalwork done for European courts and nobility. It is not unlike cases for expensive watches...

This large 1860's Austro-Hungarian antique cross pendant is set with many turquoise and garnet gemstones. The four cabochon cut garnet stones on front of the cross are all set in rai...

VERY BREEZY presents: This pendant is crafted from a genuine auger seashell, and mounted with a gold-toned metal bail. It was sourced in Italy, and I love to imagine the adventures i...

A Rare Gold, Enamel and Jewelled Cutting / Carving Service. The handles 18th century, Switzerland and the blades 19th century, England. Comprising a knife and a fork, the handles decorated with blue, green and white gold enamel panels of flowers...

Figural "key" pendant. The top is comprised of a double "CC" monogram, in textured 14K yellow gold. The key is gilt metal, so you can have your own key custom cut. 1 3/4" x 2/3." ...

The “Boar” 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 m...

DEAKIN & FRANCIS, Piccadilly Arcade, London This stunning vintage locket is the perfect gift for all. Made to keep personal things close at all times t...

The HEXA S Pendant is FLOWEN's signature statement piece. A 3 dimensional sculptural art object inspired by nature, driven by innovative design t...

This fine vintage 9ct gold cigar piercer is the perfect functional piece of jewellery. It would make a magnificent gift for the cigar lover or an intere...

The “David” pendant is part of our jewelry line “Homage to the ancestors”, inspired by famous oeuvres of great artists. Specifically, this pendant represents the well- known David of...

Oval-shaped, the cover set with an agate cameo male portrait bust, the grille a fine floral spray and initial name "B", with suspension ring. 1 in. (25 mm.) long without suspension r...