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.  His career exploded in 1900 when he won a prestigious Gold Medal while collaborating with the elite luxury house Boucheron at the Paris Universal Exposition (World's Fair). Following this massive success, he officially established Maison Becker in 1903, dedicating the rest of his nearly century-long life to perfecting the art of the medallion.

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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