Fierce, Fanciful.

We love the fantastical, yet elegant; the symbolic and meaningful. And it is no secret we adore Victorian historical revival jewels inspired by centuries past. Small wonder, then, that we fell hard for this large, stunning Renaissance revival pendant, circa 1880. We feel it is quite Italianate — with green-eyed twin dolphins rendered in the fantastical fashion of the ancient Romans, a classical scallop shell with pearl, evocative of Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, and a “grotesque” mascheron (mask), popular in the art and architecture of Renaissance Italy, inspired by the Romans.

Our imagination immediately wandered to Rome — to the Fontana del Pantheon, sculpted with a profusion of dolphins and masks — just like our jewel. In our research, we found that the revivalist creations of Alphonse Fouquet on display at the Paris Exposition in 1878 also incorporated dolphins, scallop shells, and “grotesque” masks. (For reference, see Vever, French Jewelry of the Nineteenth Century, at pp. 854, 856.).

Our masterfully crafted pendant is a unique, pièce de resistance jewel. We love this especially for anyone who is Pisces or a twin.

We will include a chain set with two pearls (not original to the pendant), but experiment by wearing the pendant with a thick chain or a ribbon. Bail is removable.

Pendant not marked; chain marked 14k.

Tests variously at 14k to 18k (pendant); 14k (chain); emerald, pearl.

Dimensions and weight:

● 79.5 mm long (pendant)/16.25 inches (chain)

● 37.6 mm wide

● 4 mm deep (pendant); 9.6 mm deep (bail)

● 17.3 grams (pendant)/19.9 grams (total with chain)

Period: Victorian

*Please note that all dimensions and weights are approximate. Age-commensurate wear may be present. We observe some scratch marks on the reverse (likely from previous gold testing), and two extra loops on the back (possible that originally, pendant suspended additional chain or drops).

*For deliveries outside of the continental U.S., please contact us for shipping information.