Gold griffin fighting over sparkling diamond egg with serpent

OBJECT GROUP : combined brooch and pendant
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN : Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe it is of French origin.
STYLE : late-Victorian - early Art Nouveau
STYLE SPECIFICS : Late-Victorian - early Art Nouveau - The subject of this piece, although typical 19th Century, announces the coming of the Art Nouveau style.
PERIOD : 1890
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION : Mythology
THEME : griffin - The griffin, a strange and legendary creature, usually represented as being part eagle, part lion, and occasionally part serpent. The griffin motif is found in sculpture of the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, and Romans; in beast allegories of the early Christians; and in Gothic architecture of the late Middle Ages. The griffin remains common in heraldy, representing strength and vigilance.
Snakes and serpents - A lot can be said about snakes and serpents. They have been worshipped since the Dark Ages and are a powerful religious symbol with many different meanings, like death and resurrection, while they have also been associated with healing and rivergods and also denote fertility, wisdom and the ability to cure.
MATERIAL : 18K yellow gold and platinum, although most of this jewel is in yellow gold, the diamond is set in platinum. This finds it origin in a much older period where it was common for diamonds to be set in silver (see explanation on silver on gold).
EXTRA INFO : Greek hybrid creatures - A hybrid is a composite of two or more species of animal and/or human. Strange as they may appear, the Greeks were endlessly fond of fabricating these creatures - one will recognize hybrids in the earliest myths and legends, not to mention inhabiting numerous works of art. For the Greeks especially, these beings of the imagination must have had great significance, in that they represented the uncivilized forces in nature that opposed mankind. The seven most known hybrids are:
The centaur - In Greek mythology and art, the centaur has the torso of a human combined with the body of a horse.
The cockatrice - this creature was also known as a basilisk ("king of serpents"), and its very glance could kill; the cockatrice was composed of a dragon's tail and assorted poultry parts.
The giants (gigantes) - These fierce and frightening beings were the offspring of Gaia (the Earth).
The griffin - According to myth, the griffin was a creature with a lion's body attached to the head, wings, and claws of an eagle.
The harpy - Harpies had female torsos melded with vulture parts; the name harpy is derived from the Greek word that means "snatcher".
The satyrs (faun) - Satyrs were often the companions of Dionysos, and these creatures were depicted in myth and art with the legs of goats and bestial natures.
The sirens - Women with bird-like bodies; sirens were legendary for luring sailors by singing their enchanted songs.
EXTRA INFO : loose brooch system - The pin and the closure of the brooch can be unscrewed from the jewel and thanks to a discreetly placed rings in the back, it can also be worn as a pendant.
DIAMONDS : One old mine brilliant cut diamond with an estimated weight of approx. 0.51 crt.
BIRTHSTONES : Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for the month April (common attributions to diamond)
WEIGHT : 22.50 gram (14.47 dwt)
HALLMARKS : No trace
CONDITION : Excellent condition - (our condition scale)
DIMENSIONS : Width approx. 4.00 cm (1.57 inch)


WHEN REFERRING TO THIS PIECE : Mention the following number: 08095-4220 or click here.



Click here for a general birthstones explanation or click on the following links to see more of our:

Mythological jewelry
Griffin jewelry
Victorian brooches
Victorian pendants
Art Nouveau brooches
Art Nouveau pendants
Articles with birthstones (or month stones) for the month April
Latest acquisitions

WALL OF FAME : Read our customers' reactions.
INVITATION : You are always welcome to visit us in our Antwerp gallery (preferably by appointment).