ABOUT:
I love figural jewelry so this one stopped me in my tracks when I saw it in France. So here I have brought it home to offer to you. Found in Paris!
I've had a handful of these French dragon / griffin / chimera pieces over the years but this one is the finest in terms of scale, quality and detail.
Large and impactful with a nice quality hand feel. My favorite thing about it is the delicious gold work, with satin texture to the interior of the wings and body contrasting with the high shine outline and raised areas. Amazing detail with the feathers and anatomy of the griffin's body. Layers of antique patina from dark to rosy to rich and buttery antique 18k solid gold. I just love French antique gold.
This is an antique piece from the Belle Epoque era - so Art Nouveau! With beautiful detail to the face of the dragon which holds an old mine cut diamond in its mouth.
The motif certainly also held symbolisms in jewelry for the period. Fantastical beasts were considered symbols of wealth and power, strength and protection, and worn as talismans or amulets for good luck. I think it might be a griffin with the feathered wings, although dragons and chimeras were very popular motifs for the period as well.
Chain in photos IS INCLUDED, and is attached to the pendant which also has a pin back for wear as a brooch if desired. It can easily be nipped off if desired but I am selling it as it came to me since the pin back adds another wear option and gold weight.
Multiple French hallmarks, crafted in 18k gold.
MEASUREMENTS:
The pendant is 35x32mm. Stretched end to end it is 23.5 inches. It weighs 14 grams. The diamond is about 3mm.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
Awesome patina including some dark / iridescent areas which could be polished up if desired, but most of my buyers prefer original patina and don't want to risk softening the wonderful patterns. It probably "bloomed" a bit when heat was used to add the loop. Quite wonderful to see evidence of age of over 125 years. Can't find such gorgeous patina on modern gold! There is a weld spot on the top edge of the wing that is not seen while wearing because it does not face out but when you turn the piece to the side you can see the lighter hue there, perhaps occurred when the loop was added because there doesn't appear to be any damage whatsoever to any of the pattern and design. A bit of wear to the prongs but there are a lot of them holding the small diamond. The diamond setting can move a bit but it is riveted through to the back of the piece so it is secure, just how it was fabricated.
Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : ) There are no dark spots to the gold, it was just difficult to photograph because it is so shiny and mirrored that it reflects its surroundings including the green trees out the window.
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
Thanks so much for looking at my items!
SOCIAL:
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