Gold Medallion Necklace
A gold medallion necklace brings together centuries of devotion, symbolism and design, offering a wearable piece of history.
Gold Medallion Necklace
A gold medallion necklace comprises circular or shaped metal discs suspended from chains, often taking the form of religious pendants, zodiac charms, and commemorative medals. These pieces span from the late Victorian and Edwardian eras through the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods into the mid-century.
The selections available primarily feature French religious medals, zodiac starsigns, and floral motifs rendered in yellow, rose, and white gold. Buyers frequently encounter French pieces stamped with maker marks alongside British watch fobs and lockets.
Originating as expressions of faith, luck, or personal identity, these medallions serve as distinct focal points when worn on a chain today. They connect the wearer to specific historical movements, from early twentieth-century plique-a-jour enamel work to modernist zodiac designs.
Materials and construction
Craftsmen utilised various purities of yellow, rose, and white gold, predominantly 18K and 15ct, often shaping them through stamping, casting, and hand-chasing. This metalwork provides the structural foundation for intricate decorative elements.
Plique-a-jour enamel appears frequently, creating translucent cell-based windows of colour that catch the light without a backing foil. Artisans also integrated diamonds, seed pearls, turquoise, rubies, sapphires, and mother-of-pearl to accent the central designs.
Listings feature yellow gold, 18K gold, diamonds, enamel, and seed pearls across Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, and mid-century periods.
Distinctions in craftsmanship
The integration of gemstones and the weight of the gold chassis dictate the substance of the piece, with heavier 18K castings providing greater durability. Additionally, signed pieces by known makers demonstrate a higher level of artistic execution compared to unmarked commercial outputs.
Paul Brandt·Monier·Pageli Perriat·Sellier·Dropsy·Tairac·Perroud·Perriat·Merrin·Monnaie De Paris·Monet·Serraz
The Gold Medallion Necklace Glossary
- Plique-a-jour
- An enamelling technique where enamel is applied in cells without a backing, creating a stained-glass effect that lets light pass through the design. This method requires considerable skill to prevent the vitreous paste from cracking during firing.
- Watch fob
- A short chain or ornament attached to a pocket watch, frequently adapted into a pendant or charm for modern wear. These often feature heraldic or civic hallmarks.
- Medallion
- A large medal-shaped pendant worn around the neck, typically bearing commemorative, religious, or symbolic imagery in relief. They often commemorate specific events, saints, or astrological signs.
- Seed pearl
- Very small natural or cultured pearls used in delicate jewellery clusters and borders, popular during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. They add a subtle luminosity to the surrounding goldwork.
Gold Medallion Necklace: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gold medallion necklace?
A gold medallion necklace is a piece of jewellery featuring a decorative metal disc suspended from a chain. These discs often depict religious figures, zodiac signs, or commemorative scenes.
Such items serve as both decorative accessories and historical artefacts, reflecting the artistic styles of their respective periods.
How do I date these necklaces?
Dating involves examining the stylistic hallmarks, such as Art Deco geometric lines or Art Nouveau organic curves. Maker marks and gold fineness stamps also provide clues to the era of production.
Consulting the specific motifs helps narrow down the timeframe, distinguishing Edwardian pieces from mid-century designs.
How were these pendants worn?
Historically, many of these pieces functioned as religious medals, travel tokens, or watch fobs before being converted into necklaces. People wore them close to the heart for protection, luck, or personal expression.
Today, they are typically paired with matching gold chains to highlight the detailed metalwork and enamel.
What styles are common here?
The selection includes French religious pendants, zodiac starsigns, and geometric Art Deco designs. Pieces often incorporate plique-a-jour enamel, seed pearls, and diamond accents.
Victorian and Edwardian examples sit alongside mid-century creations, offering a broad range of aesthetic choices.