Superlative Georgian Enamel Egg Locket

Like hearing a sublime piece of music, walking into a towering space or tasting a dish in which ingredients blend into something well beyond themselves, the senses can render emotion. Jewelry layers beauty with meaning heightening the reactions. Most certainly presented as a token of love and affection, this exquisite and precious 18k yellow gold pendant locket is ornamented with superb polychromatic (multi-colored) enamels.

The entire golden surface is embellished with leaves and flowers enameled in glorious colors of forest green, cranberry pink, alabaster, China blue and inky black. Hinged to open and close, perhaps this object d’art was fabricated as a pomander for scent that may have hung from a chatelaine.

Raised gold letters within a white enamel filled band embrace the form with the following French phrase: “L'Amitie Vous L'Offre” (Friendship is Offered to You). At this time the English were enamored with anything French and often incorporated the use of the language as an even more romantic manner in which to communicate sentimentality and affection. With an eye for detail, the craftsmanship is outstanding; even the small top bale is accented with a flowing diagonal pattern.

Measures more than 1-3/8 inches (3.6 cm) in total length including 3/8 of an inch (0.9 cm) top “O” fitting by ¾ of an inch (1.9 cm) at the widest. It has a weight of 5.1 grams. In excellent condition. Dates to circa 1790 and is English in origin.