Pendant thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Pendant

1901 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The human form, minutely sculpted in gold, was an important theme in Art Nouveau jewellery. Personifications of idealised female beauty were particularly popular. Here the figure conveys a windswept and carefree elegance.

The relief is the work of Georges van der Straeten, a sculptor who was born in Ghent in 1856 and who worked mainly in Paris until his death in 1928. Mounted as a locket (which contains a mirror) it is inscribed on the reverse 'Monte Carlo 13 March 1901' around a sprig of mistletoe.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold, diamonds
Brief description
Locket/ pendant of gold and diamonds, the relief by Georges van der Straeten (1856-1928), Paris, 1901
Physical description
Locket/ pendant of gold set with diamonds. The front of the locket features the head and shoulders of a woman. Within is a mirror.
Dimensions
  • Including jump ring length: 5cm
  • Width: 4.1cm
  • Depth: 0.74cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • The reverse is inscribed Monte Carlo / March 13th / 1901.
  • Van der Straeten (signature on edge of medallion, by the ribbons from her hat)
  • eagle's head (rubbed) (on loop. For Paris)
Credit line
Given by Joan Hurst through Art Fund
Subjects depicted
Summary
The human form, minutely sculpted in gold, was an important theme in Art Nouveau jewellery. Personifications of idealised female beauty were particularly popular. Here the figure conveys a windswept and carefree elegance.

The relief is the work of Georges van der Straeten, a sculptor who was born in Ghent in 1856 and who worked mainly in Paris until his death in 1928. Mounted as a locket (which contains a mirror) it is inscribed on the reverse 'Monte Carlo 13 March 1901' around a sprig of mistletoe.
Collection
Accession number
M.27-2006

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 30, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest