Elegant Pendant with Diamonds and Pearls in Platinum, Paris, c. 1910

Paris shines brightly. The French capital owes its reputation as the “City of Light” to several factors. First, Paris was one of the centers of the European Enlightenment in the 18th century—that intellectual movement known in France as the “Siècle des Lumières” and in the English-speaking world as the “Age of Enlightenment.” In the 19th century, this nickname took on a whole new, literal meaning thanks to the ever-expanding street lighting system. Gaslight turned night into day on the boulevards. Around 1870, more than 56,000 gas lanterns illuminated the city, which now shone brighter than ever before. This pendant originates from Paris: and it is no less a celebration of light than the city itself. The design is concentric. The center features a flower or snowflake made of a pearl, platinum, and diamonds. Surrounding this symmetrical center is a laurel wreath, also crafted from platinum, pearls, and diamonds. Delicate bands of polished platinum separate the sections and frame the pendant on the outside. The round shape of the pendant is typical of c. 1910. At the time, it was known as a “plaque” and was produced in many variations, not only in Paris but throughout Europe. However, a hallmark on the side reveals that this pendant originates specifically from the city on the Seine. Here, the piece of jewellery bears the head of an eagle, which has been the hallmark for high-karat gold jewellery from Paris since the early 19th century. And indeed, the backing—that is, the part of the pendant not visible from the front—is made of gold. We discovered the pendant in southern Germany. The loop can be opened, allowing the pendant to be attached to a pearl necklace, for example. We’ve paired it with a delicate platinum chain that seems to hold it weightlessly, beautifully accentuating its filigree lightness.

Estimate:$3,238.13

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