Large Saint-Lô cross accompanied by its neck chain. This jewel was mainly worn in Lower Normandy. Very widespread in the 18th century, this cross continued to be produced in the 19th century. Craftsmen of the second half of the 19th century, keen to reproduce models similar to those of the previous century, painted a small black dot on the back of the stones to give them an older appearance. This detail therefore allows us to date our cross to the second half of the 19th century.
The Holy Spirit motif depicts a bird of paradise whose beak is invariably turned downward. The presence of a bow at the top of the jewel is also characteristic of Norman production. Our pendant is adorned with rhinestones of varying sizes; the largest are set on the bird’s wings, body, and at the center of the bow.
This pendant is known by several names: the “Provençal Jeannette,” the “Arlesian Jeannette,” or, more simply, the “devotional cross.” When the size of the diamonds gradually decreases as they extend outward from the center, this generally indicates an early example. More recent productions are typically characterized by diamonds of uniform size. The jewel is suspended from a bail concealed behind a diamond.
Charming gold cross decorated with interlacing oak leaves in relief and set with six small pearls.
An elegant oval miniature attributed to Robert Field (1769–1819), depicting a bust-length portrait of an admiral in his blue uniform, adorned with epaulettes and gold embroidery. The sitter is shown in three-quarter view against a delicately shaded blue background, highlighting the refined features of his face.
The composition highlights a miniature under glass representing a cherub dressed in antique style, accompanied by a dove, symbol of love and purity.
The finesse of the decor, combined with the softness of the subject, gives this piece a romantic character typical of the 19th century.
750 yellow gold cross set with twelve garnets.
Yellow gold pendant cross entirely paved with round and cushion-cut antique diamonds mounted in prong settings. The central diamond is the largest of the eleven. The whole is surrounded by a black enamel border.
This type of cross, known as a Badine, Badino, or butterfly cross, has a distinctive removable lower section, which literally refers to the word that defines it: badino, in Provençal, means free-moving or fluttering. The lower section has a beautifully openwork loop on which three rosettes are arranged.