Romantic Whiplash: Art Nouveau Pendant with Diamonds, Sapphire, and Rare Pearl

This striking Art Nouveau pendant from circa 1900, crafted in 18K yellow gold, displays the movement’s characteristic flowing design and natural motifs. At the heart of the pendant lies a cabochon sapphire, flanked by two senailles (diamonds) and two delicate seed pearls. A rare Mississippi dogtooth pearl gracefully dangles below, enhancing the pendant's organic lines. Inspired by the iconic whiplash curves of Art Nouveau, this piece embodies the aesthetic and romantic spirit of the era, offering both a connection to nature and a sense of refined beauty.

Antique jewelry object group
pendant

Condition
very good condition
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
unknown

Style
Edwardian - The Edwardian era or Edwardian period in the United Kingdom is the period covering the reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910. The death of Queen Victoria in January 1901 and the succession of her son, Edward, marked the start of a new century and the end of the Victorian era. While Victoria had shunned society, Edward was the leader of a fashionable elite which set a style influenced by the art and fashions of continental Europe—perhaps because of the King's fondness for travel. The era was marked by significant shifts in politics as sections of society which had been largely excluded from wielding power in the past, such as common labourers and women, became increasingly politicised.
See also: Edwardian
more info on styles

Style specifics
Art Nouveau - Although Art Nouveau took on distinctly localised tendencies as its geographic spread increase some general characteristics are indicative of the form. A description published in Pan magazine of Hermann Obrist's wall-hanging Cyclamen (1894) described it as "sudden violent curves generated by the crack of a whip", which became well known during the early spread of Art Nouveau.

Subsequently, not only did the work itself become better known as The Whiplash, but the term "whiplash" is frequently applied to the characteristic curves employed by Art Nouveau artists. Such decorative "whiplash" motifs, formed by dynamic, undulating, and flowing lines in a syncopated rhythm, are found throughout the architecture, painting, sculpture, and other forms of Art Nouveau design.(from: Wikipedia)

Period
ca. 1900
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Material 18K
yellow gold (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Diamonds
Two senailles . A senaille is a simplified rose cut diamond, a small diamond chip with perhaps a few polished facets. We do not have the weight of these diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to senailles.

- All diamonds, regardless of their size or shape, in our vintage and antique jewellery are verified as 100% natural by the IJGC laboratory.

- We do not sell lab-grown (synthetic) diamonds.

Precious stones
One cabochon sapphire
One Mississipi baroque pearl also called "dogtooth" pearl.
Two seed pearls
It is a very common practice to treat gemstones to intensify their clarity or colour. The item in question has not been tested in this regard.

Extra information
Dogtooth pearls are irregularly shaped freshwater pearls, often found in the Mississippi River. These pearls typically take on elongated or tooth-like forms, making them distinct from the more common round pearls. Known for their organic appearance, these pearls develop naturally inside river mollusks, resulting in unique shapes that reflect the natural conditions in which they are formed.

Birthstones
Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April, sapphire for September pearl for June
more info on birthstones

Hallmarks
No trace.
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Dimensions
6,46 cm (2,54 inch) x 2,31 cm (0,91 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
3,50 gram (2,25 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
24292-0258

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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