This antique Art Nouveau necklace comprising a pendant and a supporting chain is crafted in 18k yellow gold, weighs 25.6g and measures 19.5 inches long. The exquisite pendant measures 56mm long, 29mm wide and 5mm deep. An authentic Art Nouveau medallion of historic significance, this pendant depicts a portrait of the royal couple King Albert I of Belgium and his wife the Bavarian Queen Elizabeth, artistically rendered 'en relief' within an ovular 18k yellow gold plaque. This enchanting portrait is framed by a highly decorative contour incorporating artistic granulation accents, a diaphanous double rim of contrasting red enamel and yellow gold, enhanced by gold wire scrolls. A realistically rendered Belgian crown, decorated with delicate granulation and textured features constitutes the pinnacle of the pendant, surmounted by a double-faceted fleur-de-lis inspired bale of pronounced size. The official 'lion rampant' emblem of Belgium rendered 'en relief' against a shielded black enamel background accentuates the aesthetic grace of this regal pendant, surrounded by intricate foliate-themed corded wire scrolls. The reverse is rendered in matt yellow gold, engraved '18k' and the maker's name on the underside of the crown, the 'lion rampant' and the phrases 'L'Union Fait la Force' and 'Eendracht maakt Macht' in French and Flemish respectively meaning �unity yields strength'. These engravings are applied 'en relief', in capitalized and clearly legible letters, within an intriguing ovular rim of foliate inspired repousse work. The exterior border is engraved with a commemorative phrase addressed to Belgians reading 'Belges Souvenez-vous de l'heroisme de vos soldats' translated as 'Belgians, remember the heroism of your soldiers' with the date '1914-1915' corresponding to the years of Belgium's invasion during the First World War. This alluring Art Nouveau pendant is a unique ornamental piece of historic significance and exquisite artisanship. The supporting antique Art Nouveau necklace is crafted in 18k yellow gold of matching color, weighs 15.2g and measures 19.5 inches long and 3mm wide. In delicate and feminine Art Nouveau style, this authectic chain of immaculate artisanship is composed of alternately positioned marquise and ribbon-bow motif links, adjoined by means of well-constructed yet refined ovular rings. The captivating openwork marquise links are enhanced by duos of inversely juxtaposed paisley-themed profiles rendered in extremely delicate, matted corded gold wire, creating a fascinating pattern. This authentic Art Nouveau chain of pronounced length and classic elegance is secured by a spring-ring clasp closure.

King Albert whose name has been written in history as �the King of the Belgians' succeeded his uncle Leopold II in 1909. At the outbreak of World War I Belgium occupied the only wide open space between France and Germany and its neutrality was a vital component of the European Balance of power. On August 4th, 1914, King Albert I delivered his famous speech to the Belgian Parliament in which he declared: �In these solemn circumstances, two virtues are indispensable: A calm but unshaken courage and the close union of all Belgians'. 'I have faith in our destinies', he concluded, 'a country which defends itself wins respect and cannot perish'. With these solemn and dignified words, Belgium took up the struggle and she was beaten before she began. The �King of the Belgians� could only be seen at the head of the army, standing out as one of the truly heroic figures of the War. The Bavarian-born Elizabeth, given the well-deserved name of 'Queen of the Belgians' was a royal woman who had lost the land of her nativity through the same war that had cost her country of adoption, living under the shadow of hostile aero planes hoping for the end of the war. She pawned her jewels to buy supplies for the wounded soldiers and sacrificed almost everything else to accomplish the task of serving and comforting those who defended Belgium. Together with her husband and the Crown Prince, the Queen of the Belgians lived the years of the war at La Panne, a tiny and extremely modest fishing village on the coast. A devoted churchwoman by upbringing, she grieved over the atrocities of the war, often referring to her own Bavarian birth and to the confidence she and the King had always placed in her homeland, regarding the welfare of the troops as her primary charge. Both these royal exiles, the soldier-King of the Belgians who won and deserved the admiration of the world and the �Queen of the Belgians� who was a German and refused to leave her husband and the wounded Belgian soldiers, lived in deep conviction that they would return to Belgium and that their country would be theirs again. King Albert was killed in a climbing accident in 1934 and was succeeded by his son Leopold III.

EFC501C5

Suggested Retail Price: $3,000.00 Your Price: $1,950.00 $1,750.00 Wholesale Price: $1,500.00