Antique Art Nouveau Joan of Arc - "Plique-à-jour" pendant - 18k
Saint Joan of Arc pendants in gold are extremely difficult to come by and this one is exquisitely crafted and particularly special.
This antique c.1910 French pendant is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features a beautifully rendered St. Joan on the front, in full armor surrounded by "plique-à-jour", making her appear to glow. By French artist Edmond-Henri Becker. Joan of Arc was a significant symbol of French nationalism, particularly leading up to her canonization as a Roman Catholic saint in 1920.
Plique-à-jour (French for "letting in daylight") is a challenging enameling technique creating translucent, stained-glass-like effects by applying enamel in metal cells  without a backing, allowing light to pass through. It involves creating a delicate metal framework (like cloisonné), filling cells with transparent enamel powder, firing it, and then removing the temporary support (like copper foil or mica), resulting in shimmering, light-filled jewelry perfect for motifs like insect wings or leaves.
Edmond-Henri Becker (1871-1971) was a renowned french sculptor, goldsmith, jeweler, engraver, and medallist, whose work evolved from Art Nouveau to Art Déco.
The pendant measures approximately 19.4mm wide by 26.5mm tall (without the bail) and weighs 5.2g. French mark for 18k gold.
* Listing is for pendant only.
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