While the phrase "la dolce vita" (transl. "the sweet life") conjures visions of Fellini's 1960s classic film starring Marcello Mastroianni as a tabloid journalist who, over seven days and nights, journeys through the "sweet life" of Rome in search of love and happiness, the phrase has been used since earlier times. It's a reminder of a lifestyle encompassing opportunities to disconnect from things that take our attention away from what is important in life - love, passion, pleasure.
This rare and beautifully detailed circa 1903 pendant features Rococo volute decoration with red enamel on a guilloché background. Guilloché enamel is a form of work that involves using a lathe to work the metal into a pattern and then enameling over that pattern. The result is an image that shimmers with life as light bounces off of it. An absolutely wonderful effect.
This pendant has been converted from a stickpin, retaining all its hallmarks on the hanging bail, which was fashioned from the original pin. It measures approximately 21.5mm by 16.3mm, weighs 3.1g and is hallmarked with "800" for 19.2k gold, with maker's mark for Lisbon and esteemed jewellers Leitão & Irmão.
* Listing is for pendant only.
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