Art Nouveau plique-à-jour pendant by Gaston Laffitte

Jewellery from the Art Noveau period of the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s was often so feminine and full of character and here is a spectacular Art Nouveau plique-à-jour enamel pendant by Gaston Laffitte.

Gaston Laffitte was an incredible jeweller who specialised in plique-à-jour enamel work as can be seen in the blue “petals” of the flowers and is considered the hardest and most sought after of all the enamelling techniques. His work is right up there with Rene Lalique making this such a wonderful piece of history to love and to wear.

Plique-à-jour is French for “Letting in day light” and unlike all other enamel techniques has no backing to it making it incredibly difficult to produce and not crack during the firing process.

There are four flowers of plique-à-jour enamel, each set with a natural pearl and in the centre are two love birds perched on a branch and the French sentences, “Le Plus Doux Des Bonheurs” which translates to “The sweetest pleasures” and “Etre Aime Quand On Aime” which translates to “Be loved when you love”.

Made in 18ct yellow gold, from left to right the pendant measures 34.5mm across by 40.6mm from the bottom to the top of the bail.

Art Nouveau jewellery is so special, and this plique-à-jour pendant by Gaston Laffitte is just so romantic and divine.

Stock# ES6655

Circa: 1895

Maker: Gaston Laffitte

$4,400