19thC Imperial Russian Gold Diamond Ruby Baroque Pearl SECRET BOX Pendant Beluga
Here is a fantastic antique Imperial Russian Baroque Pearl pendant locket in the form of a snake or asp head. Recently I had someone say it looked like a Beluga Whale head to them... An original Imperial Russian item I believe it to be circa 1910.... Going by the hallmarks on the gold mounts. The large Baroque Pearl has a natural shape to it, and someone has used this shape to make it a mammal head of some kind and its large enough for them to attach the gold and gemstone mounts as well as the diamond eyes....
And not only that they have been able to dig out the bottom of the baroque pearl to create the secret hinged box below. The very back gold mount has a singular loop which you can add a chain to make this into a pendant. The snake - beluga whale head Baroque Pearl has rose cut Diamonds as eyes which look to be mounted into silver.
There is a line of calibre cut rubies along the top in the gold mount. Each Ruby is unique and slightly different in cut and facets.
A good solid gold mount holding the Pearl has a suspension loop on it. The small suspension loop has a makers mark which is slightly obscured, but I can see a partial letter which has a down stroke H or I or an N say...... There are hallmarks to the solid gold mount too, 56 then a womans head in kokoshnik and a small number which looks like an 8 under the head. It is worthy of more time and research into the maker and could well be the famous Russian one. I have been unable to find anything like this to compare it with...
Its a really beautiful unique item of jewellery with two functions... A pendant and secret box hidden on the underside as you would wear it. You will see there is a small carved mouth in the natural shaped baroque Pearl depicting the snake or mammal or beluga whale mouth.
It is some sort of mammal but it could be some other mythical creature too.... Newt, turtle, dolphin, whale even. It is an exceptional large locket SECRET BOX pendant and to the right person with as much enthusiasm about it as I have then you will love it.
The shell has the pearly - iridescent look too from different angles as I examine it now whilst describing it. There is nothing quite like this one anywhere that I can find.
The Baroque Pearl is large and has been used well for this beautiful piece of jewellery. The gold mount and the back of the hinged locket are large and not flimsy mounts. Inside the locket SECRET BOX there is glass with silk material behind at the very bottom. It may be for a photograph or hair memoriam. There is a good space at the top of the glass as well of course to keep something else in.
Although the rubies look purple in the photographs please be assured these are. The secret box pendant measures approx 32mm in length x 27mm across the top x 16mm deep from the top of the head to the gold back plate of the secret box hinged lid. The back gold mount with the ruby insets at the back is a really nice shape, not only is it slightly concave and it makes the pendant look longer it drops down at both sides at the back in a crescent like shape....
Allowing for the hinged lid of the secret box on the underside. The suspension loop sticks out at a right angle from the concave back gold mount in the centre and really is well balanced. This gold suspension loop has a hallmark on it as well which I can see has been at least 2 initials...
A straight line of maybe an H. Then a P or R. Makers initials but because of the size of the loop its difficult to make out what it should read. This suspension loop sticks out a further 4.3mm to allow for a nice chain link to attach. The oval egg shaped hinged secret box lid is 18.8 mm long x 15mm wide. The hinged end is at the back of the head end and the depth of the secret box is about 4mm deep to the top of the glass... Under the glass is a pale green silk like material.... I have not taken the glass out...Not actually sure if the glass is removable to be honest. It is in good condition with minimal age and use wear just some facet wear to some of the rubies. A stunning piece of Russian jewellery, unique. My measurements are done with an electronic digital caliper.
Items are shown next to an English 1 penny which is 20mm (11/16th of an inch) diameter for scale. Once an item is the in the postal system any delays are out of my cont rol.See the date it was sent. The item "19thC Imperial Russian Gold Diamond Ruby Baroque Pearl SECRET BOX Pendant Beluga" is in sale since Tuesday, July 23, 2019. This item is in the category "Jewellery & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewellery\Vintage Fine Jewellery\Victorian (1837-1901)". The seller is "diggerlee" and is located in Yorkshire. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- RUSSIAN DIAMOND EYES GOLD RUBY MOUNTS: BAROQUE PEARL CARVED HEAD LOCKET PENDANT
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Russian Federation
- Type: Pendant/ Locket
- Metal: RUSSIAN GOLD
- Main Gemstone: Ruby