Sea Serpent Stickpin
Serpent de Mer! |
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A writhing sea serpent clutches a luminous pearl. The serpent is beautifully sculpted with rich details, life-like fins and a tail that appears to be floating in the water. Crafted in 18kt gold, circa 1900.
In the years around 1900, French jewelers created an exotic menagerie of fantastic creatures and mythological monsters. The jewels often reflected the prevailing Art Nouveau style. Plisson et Hartz was one of the leading French jewelers working in this chimère (chimera) style. This boldly sculpted stickpin with a sea serpent is a wonderful example of the firm's artistry. The pin stem is stamped with the firm's maker's mark, a "P" and an "H" flanking a seated cat. The reverse of the stickpin (pictured below) is as nicely crafted as the front. Note the sturdy thickness of the gold edges. The small notch on the upper left side of the pin stem is the French assayer's mark for 18kt gold (a fierce eagle's head). Cost: Although this elegant stickpin has sold, you will find many more |  |
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Here are a few more elegant jewels from the past ...
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| Antique Jewelry Gallery Antique Stickpin Gallery If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, I can be reached at 978 525-8951 or arthur@jewelryexpert.com.
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