A Symbol of Luck in Art Nouveau: The 1900 Gold Locket

An exquisite Art Nouveau locket, circa 1900, steeped in the elegance and organic motifs characteristic of the era. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, its design features a captivating woman's head nestled within a four-leaf clover, a symbol of luck and prosperity. This Belgian piece, although lacking legible control marks, embodies the movement's essence with its nature-inspired theme. Adorned with 12 diamonds, it is not only a testament to the artistic mastery of the period but also a bearer of the cultural and historical richness surrounding the Art Nouveau movement and its unique interpretation across Europe.

Antique jewelry object group: locket

Condition: excellent condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Art Nouveau - Art Nouveau (French for New Style) is an international movement and style of art, architecture and applied art - especially the decorative arts - that peaked in popularity at the turn of the 20th century (1890–1905).

The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art". It is also known as Jugendstil, German for "youth style", named after the magazine Jugend, which promoted it, and in Italy, Stile Liberty from the department store in London, Liberty & Co., which popularised the style, and in Holland as “Sla-olie-stijl”, Dutch for “salad oil style” after a advertisement poster for this product that was made in that style.

A reaction to academic art of the 19th century, it is characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly stylized, flowing curvilinear forms. Art Nouveau is an approach to design according to which artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture, making art part of everyday life. Although Art Nouveau fell out of favour with the arrival of 20th-century modernist styles, it is seen today as an important bridge between the historicism of Neoclassicism and modernism.
  -  See also: Art Nouveau or more info on styles

Style specifics: Art Nouveau - Although Art Nouveau took on distinctly localised tendencies as its geographic spread increase some general characteristics are indicative of the form. A description published in Pan magazine of Hermann Obrist's wall-hanging Cyclamen (1894) described it as "sudden violent curves generated by the crack of a whip", which became well known during the early spread of Art Nouveau.

Subsequently, not only did the work itself become better known as The Whiplash, but the term "whiplash" is frequently applied to the characteristic curves employed by Art Nouveau artists. Such decorative "whiplash" motifs, formed by dynamic, undulating, and flowing lines in a syncopated rhythm, are found throughout the architecture, painting, sculpture, and other forms of Art Nouveau design.(from: Wikipedia)

Period: ca. 1900
  -  (events and facts in 1900)

Source of inspiration: Mother Nature (see also: flower symbolism)

Theme: Four leaf clover - The clover became famous around 1,600 years ago, because, it was said that Saint Patrick in 452 AD stepped from the cathedral in Ireland on Easter morning, stooped down and picked a shamrock. He showed it to the crowd of parishioners, and then said, "This Plant represents the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!" Since that time, the three leaf shamrock has become world famous! Around this time when clovers were made popular, the rare four-leaf clover also became popular and was considered to be lucky.

Material: 18K yellow gold
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Diamonds: 12 senailles . A senaille is a simplified rose cut diamond, a small diamond chip with perhaps a few polished facets. We do not have the weight of these diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to senailles.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
  -  (more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: No trace.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: diameter 3,00 cm (1,18 inch)

Weight: 8,70 gram (8,70 dwt)

Reference Nº: 12284-0033

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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