French Art Nouveau Pendant
These pieces of french art nouveau pendant design capture fluid floral forms and religious iconography from the turn of the twentieth century, offering a wearable piece of history.
French Art Nouveau Pendant
The objects span from the late nineteenth century into the interwar decades, though pieces bearing the distinctive curvilinear lines of the early 1900s dominate.
Beyond wearable jewellery, the broader selection includes architectural glass lamp shades and hanging ceiling lights sharing the same organic vocabulary.
How they were made
Goldsmiths shaped eighteen-carat yellow gold into pierced frames, incorporating gemstones such as pearls, emeralds and rubies.
Artisans employed the plique-à-jour technique to suspend translucent enamel within open gold cells, catching the light like stained glass.
Listings feature eighteen-carat yellow gold combined with plique-à-jour enamel, pearls, emeralds and rubies.
What varies in quality
The finesse of the metalwork and the translucency of the plique-à-jour enamel separate standard production from superior examples.
Medals signed by known medallists display sharper relief in the figural depictions of the Virgin Mary, angels and saints.
Emile Monier·Emile Dropsy·Ovide Yencesse·Amalric Walter·Muller Freres·Argy Rousseau
The French Art Nouveau Pendant Glossary
- Plique-à-jour
- An enamelling technique where enamel is applied without a backing, allowing light to shine through the transparent or translucent cells. It resembles miniature stained glass.
- Medal
- A flat, coin-like metal disc bearing a stamped or engraved religious or portrait motif, often worn as a pendant. Many French examples commemorate saints or the Madonna.
- Pate de verre
- A glass-making method involving crushed glass packed into a mould and fused by heat. This technique creates textured, variegated colours often seen in period lighting.
- Chandelier
- A branched hanging light fixture designed to hold multiple bulbs or candles. Period examples combine glass shades with brass, bronze or wrought iron.
French Art Nouveau Pendant: Frequently Asked Questions
What are plique-à-jour pendants?
These are translucent enamel pieces where light passes directly through the open metal framework.
They require careful handling due to the delicate nature of unsupported enamel.
How do I identify a religious medal?
Religious medals typically feature stamped depictions of the Virgin Mary, Madonna and Child, or patron saints.
They often bear inscriptions in French alongside the signature of the medallist on the border.
Can I wear these everyday?
Antique gold jewellery from this era is durable, but delicate enamel and pearls require gentle care.
Removing the pendant before swimming or sleeping helps preserve the original condition.
What is the difference between an Art Nouveau and Art Deco pendant?
Art Nouveau pieces showcase asymmetrical, flowing lines inspired by natural plant and floral forms.
Art Deco designs shift towards geometric symmetry, rigid patterns and stylised motifs.