Brenda Ginsberg Antiques & Jewelry
Antique Art Nouveau Brooch Pendant Gold Diamond sgnd Janvier, Nelly Kaplan(7011)
Antique Art Nouveau Brooch Pendant Gold Diamond sgnd Janvier, Nelly Kaplan(7011)
Antique, Art Nouveau Brooch Pendant. 18k yellow gold, platium and diamond. Made in France by Lucien Janvier, circa 1900.
Measurements: Weight is 9.6 grams. Distance at widest point is a little over 1 1/4 inches (32mm).
Description : This brooch pendant is the essence of Art Nouveau. It depicts the head of a woman, her hair sailing in swirls around her head and incorporated and intertwined with the outer frame of the jewel. A large pair of leaf-shaped earrings descend from her ears. Is she an Indian (Native American) or an Ancient Egyptian? A bandeau around her forehead adds detail, but does nothing to detract from the flowing waves of her hair. She looks straight out at the viewer - at once incredibly beautiful and at the same time, impassive. A tiny loop at the bottom suspends a platinum drop, set with a diamond. The back has both a pin with c-clasp so that it can be worn as a brooch and a pair of loops, so that it can be suspended from a chain and worn as a pendant. Workmanship and design are superb. Real Art Nouveau jewelry is rare. Pieces of this quality are very seldom seen.
Marks and Metal: French hallmarks on the pin and outside of the c clasp. The Artist, Lucien JANVIER has signed the piece on the lower right border. An almost identical brooch is shown on page 31 of Vivienne Becker's book, Art Nouveau Jewelry.
Nelly Kaplan, born in Argentina, moved to Paris, where she became a famous writer, film-maker and artist, well-established in French Arts and Cultural society and winner of many, many honours and awards. Nelly Kaplan died in November 2020. Owning and wearing an item of jewelry that belonged to this talented and very special lady is an honour and priviledge. Nelly's artistic achievements are mirrored in the jewelry she wore, none of which was ordinary, Yet, her jewelry would make any collector of jewelry proud and it is still totally wearable and suitable for today's women of any age and to suit any occasion.
Condition: Good with negligible wear commensurate with age. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.