Antique Art Nouveau Frog Pendant

This stunning pendant is an extraordinary piece of early 20th-century Italian history. Dating to the turn of the century (c. 1895–1905), this spectacular "animalier" statement pendant was made by the legendary Milanese high-jewelry house G. Confalonieri. The term "animalier" comes from the French word for animal and originally took off in 19th-century Paris, describing sculptors who moved away from mythical monsters to capture the accurate, lifelike forms of real creatures. In jewelry - especially during the Late Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Edwardian eras - the "animalier" movement became incredibly popular as high society fell in love with naturalism, wearing beautifully crafted frogs, lizards, bees, and serpents as high-fashion talismans.

Frogs represent transformation, renewal, and prosperity across many cultures. Because they change from water-bound tadpoles into land-dwelling adults, they are natural symbols for personal growth and the different stages of life. In witchcraft and European folklore, frogs were often viewed as familiars - spiritual helpers that assisted practitioners with their craft. They were also used in folk medicine and sympathetic magic, where practitioners believed a frog could absorb a person's illness before being released back into nature.

In turn-of-the-century European high society, frogs were highly fashionable symbols of good luck, transformation, and fidelity. Exceptionally modeled in three dimension, this lifelike creature centers a magnificent, high-luster natural pearl body that radiates soft, iridescent undertones. Its webbed limbs are meticulously fashioned in a historic oxidized silver-upon-gold technique, paved with a shimmering array of hand-cut rose cut diamonds. Two vivid, soulful ruby eyes pierce through the dark silver patina, giving it an incredibly lifelike gaze. The reverse features an intricately hand-pierced gold under-gallery displaying flowing organic Art Nouveau scrollwork bearing the crisp maker's signature stamp curving along the lower gold border - "CONFALONIERI". Confalonieri was an esteemed house that held the rare distinction of being an official court jeweler to the royal families of Italy, Spain, and Portugal. 

This exceptional pendant beautifully balances whimsical history with a moody, candlelit Edwardian romance. Crafted in a tested 18k yellow gold base with sterling silver top setting plates, it measures 26.7mm long (not including the hanging loop) by 21.2mm at its widest point, 10.2mm deep, and weighs approximately 6.97g. The pendant remains in superb antique condition and is highly wearable.

Painting "The Magic Circle" by J. W. Waterhouse

* Listing is for pendant only.

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