How do I wear a pendant medallion?

Pendant medallions hang from compatible chains, ribbons, or collars depending on the scale and period of the piece. They function well as statement necklaces or paired with simpler garments to highlight the enamel work. Care should be taken to avoid impact against hard surfaces, as vitreous enamel can chip under sharp blows. Storing them in dedicated velvet or soft pouches protects the gold and enamel from scratching.

How do I date a gold enamel medallion?

Dating relies on stylistic markers such as the flowing organic lines of Art Nouveau plique-a-jour pieces or the symmetrical geometries of Art Deco items. Hallmark stamps on the gold, where present, help pinpoint the origin and year of manufacture. Subject matter also offers clues, as devotional Virgin Mary charms and portrait miniatures frequently align with specific French and British decorative movements. Comparing the manufacturing technique with known historical examples narrows the timeframe further.

What does plique-a-jour mean?

Plique-a-jour translates from French as letting in the daylight, describing an enamelling method without a solid backing metal. This lets light pass directly through the translucent coloured glass cells. It requires exceptional skill from the metalsmith and enameller to construct the delicate gold framework and fire the glass without cracking. Pieces utilising this technique typically originate from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.