Plenty of Charm: Carved Coral Pendant

By request, The Three Graces has sought out additional types of pendants and fobs for our clients. Almost an epoch in its own right, the fine jewelry of the 1960s and 1970 is currently hot hot hot. Huge, chunky, bursts of color, yellow gold, abstract themes…all part of the mix.

Derived from two Latin words (cornu and copia) literally meaning “horn of plenty”, this symbol dates to the 5th century BCE. Typically displayed as the curved horn of a goat, it was laden to the brim with a never-ending cascade of grains and fruits. Here the bounty is carved coral of twenty-six (26) wonderful roses set into volutes of 18k yellow gold. A voluminous bouquet overflows the 18k gold twisted cornucopia. When suspended, the charm switches from left to right side, either way is just as beautiful. Due to the coral roses this is more suited to a pendant rather than a charm.

Condition: Very good to excellent with nothing of note.

Hallmarks: Marked “750” for 18k gold.

Measurements: More than 1-1/4 inches (3.3 cm) from the back of the horn to the tip of the roses. Rose bunch is 7/8 of an inch (2.2 cm) in diameter. Has a weight of 18 grams.

Date & Origin: Circa 1965; Italian in origin.

Historical Notes: The concept of a cornucopia originated from a Greek myth which involved a rivalry between Hercules and the Achelous, the river god for the hand of Dejanira, the daughter of King Oeneus of Calydon. A wrestling competition was to be held and the winner gaining the right to marry the winsome princess. Ever the hero, Hercules tore off one of the horns of Achelous the bull, redirected the river and won the heart of Dejanira. The Naiads, the mythical water nymphs of old, revered the discarded horn as sacred and filled it with fragrant flowers. The goddess Copia (Plenty) claimed the horn as her symbol and labeled it the “Cornucopia”.