The Elegant Cufflink, the antique French stickpin experts. (J9129) The Elegant Cufflink home page Antique and Vintage Jewelry Galleries Antique and Vintage Stickpin Gallery Purhasing an estate jewel.

Sea Serpent Stickpin

French sea serpent stickpin with pearl. (J9129)

Serpent de Mer!


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 fine stickpins in the Antique Stickpin Gallery.

Measurements:  This 18kt gold stickpin is  2 7/8" long and weighs 6.1 grams.  The sea serpent top measures  7/8" by  just under 9/16".

French sea serpent stickpin with pearl. (J9129)


French sea serpent stickpin with pearl. (J9129)



Here are a few more elegant jewels from the past ...

Whiteside and Blank winged lion stickpin with emerald and diamond. (SP9648) Art Nouveau amethyst stickpin (J9430). Art Deco diamond and filigree stickpin.



Antique Jewelry Galleries      Antique Stickpin Gallery

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, I can be reached at
arthur@elegantcufflink.com  or  978 412-6633.

Or, if you prefer snail mail, my postal address is:

Arthur Anderson
PO Box 1448
Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA
01944-0870


© Copyright Arthur Anderson
2013  -  2024 All Rights Reserved