This Art Nouveau lorgnette pendant is crafted in vermeil, weighs exactly 41g and measures 4.5 inches long, 1.25 inches wide and 0.05 inch deep. This exquisite and authentic Art Nouveau pendant is designed as a highly decorative lorgnette case, in the form of a Victorian style vanity mirror, the case conceals a pair of delicately designed, deploying lorgnettes with delicate vermeil frames, and a perfectly functioning 'trigger' mechanism to withdraw the lenses from the case. Lorgnettes made their first appearance in the late 18th century and became a fashionable accessory for the socially privileged class. Highly in vogue throughout the Victorian and Edwardian eras, lorgnettes made in gold, silver and plated steel were available in a wide range of designs, the Edwardian specialty crafted in platinum with diamond-studded frames. Quintessentially Art Nouveau in its exquisite design and artisanship, this absorbing Art Nouveau pendant exposes nature as the leitmotif, combined with the familiar sensuality and romantic flowing curves found in genuine Art Nouveau art works. This dual sided lorgnette case depicts the masterfully sculptured full-length bodies of a 'non-conformist' Art Nouveau griffin, a mythological creature perceived differently throughout cultures. Although commonly portrayed as serpentine or reptilian, possessing extremely large bodies, the griffin was portrayed either with or without wings and with a body identical to a serpent and of more pronounced size as seen in the early European literature and mythology. The legendary creatures were masterfully rendered in repoussé gold with entwined serpent-like bodies and meticulous scale-like with granulation accents to achieve the biologically accurate rendition of serpent skin. The upper finials are embellished with enchanting fleur-de-lis and romantically inspired heart motif profiles, while delicately chased and scrolled fleur-de-lis silhouettes adorn the lower finial of the lorgnette case on both sides. Displaying imagination and creativity, this Art Nouveau work of art characterizes the artistry of the 'Fin-de-Siècle' creators of Art Nouveau jewelry. This absorbing and highly collectible antique pendant features an orbicular bale of pronounced size to support a chain and a well constructed, rotating 'trigger' mechanism.

Lorgnettes, a pair of framed lens with a lateral handle, first appeared in the 18th century pioneered by an Englishman named George Adams. The lorgnette probably developed from the French designed ‘binocles-ciseaux’ meaning scissors-glass, which was a double eyeglass on a handle. Since the two parts of the handle joined below the nose and looked as if they were about to cut it off, they were termed as ‘binocles-ciseaux’ or scissors glasses. The English changed the size and form of the scissors-glasses to produce what then became known as lorgnettes. The frame and handle were, without exception, artistically embellished, since they were used mostly by Victorian ladies, more often decorative as opposed to functional. The lorgnette maintained its popularity with ladies of fashion, who refused to wear spectacles, and remained in vogue throughout the Victorian and Edwardian era however, Edwardian lorgnettes were of more sophisticated design, frequently adorned with diamond encrusted frames.

E1030C4

Suggested Retail Price: $1,000.00 Your Price: $650.00 $575.00 Wholesale Price: $500.00