French late Victorian early Art Nouveau expressive golden griffin brooch pendant

In tales griffins are said to build a nest, like an eagle but of gold and instead of eggs it lays agates. The animal was supposed to watch over hidden treasures. Perhaps that's why in jewelry they are often executed with a diamond in their beak.

Antique jewelry object group: brooches
Country of origin: France
Style: late-Victorian early Art Nouveau - (styles overview)
Style specifics: early Art Nouveau - The subject of this piece, although typical 19th Century, announces the coming of the Art Nouveau style.
Period: ca. 1880 (events and facts in 1880)
Source of inspiration: mythology
Theme: griffin - The griffin, a strange and legendary creature, usually represented as being part eagle and part lion (and occasionally part serpent). As the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of the birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. Griffins are normally known for guarding treasure. In antiquity it was a symbol of divine power and a guardian of the divine. Most contemporary illustrations give the griffin forelegs like an eagle's legs with talons, although in some older illustrations it has a lion's forelimbs; it generally has a lion's hindquarters. Its eagle's head is conventionally given prominent ears; these are sometimes described as the lion's ears, but are often elongated (more like a horse's), and are sometimes feathered. The griffin motif is found in sculpture of the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, and Romans; in beast allegories of the early Christians; and in Gothic architecture of the late Middle Ages. The griffin remains common in heraldy, representing strength and vigilance.
Material: 18K yellow gold and a platinum mounting for the diamond. - (precious metals)
Extra information: Greek hybrid creatures - A hybrid is a composite of two or more species of animal and/or human. Strange as they may appear, the Greeks were endlessly fond of fabricating these creatures - one will recognize hybrids in the earliest myths and legends, not to mention inhabiting numerous works of art. For the Greeks especially, these beings of the imagination must have had great significance, in that they represented the uncivilized forces in nature that opposed mankind. The seven most known hybrids are:
The centaur - In Greek mythology and art, the centaur has the torso of a human combined with the body of a horse.
The cockatrice - this creature was also known as a basilisk ("king of serpents"), and its very glance could kill; the cockatrice was composed of a dragon's tail and assorted poultry parts.
The giants (gigantes) - These fierce and frightening beings were the offspring of Gaia (the Earth).
The griffin - According to myth, the griffin was a creature with a lion's body attached to the head, wings, and claws of an eagle.
The harpy - Harpies had female torsos melded with vulture parts; the name harpy is derived from the Greek word that means "snatcher".
The satyrs (faun) - Satyrs were often the companions of Dionysos, and these creatures were depicted in myth and art with the legs of goats and bestial natures.
The sirens - Women with bird-like bodies; sirens were legendary for luring sailors by singing their enchanted songs.

Diamonds: One natural fancy brown colored old mine brilliant cut diamond with an estimated weight of approx. 0.16 crt.
Note: All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.
Precious stones: One One baroque pearl - (precious stones)
Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and pearl for June. - (general birthstones explanation)
More background information on: mythological jewelry
Hallmarks: The French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle's head that was in use in France from about 1838. - (general hallmarks info)
Condition: excellent condition - (our condition scale)
Dimensions: Width approximately 4.36 cm (1.72 inch)
Weight: 15.30 gram (9.84 dwt)

Reference Nº: 09073-3484

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