During the 19th century, the discoveries of ancient archaeological finds influenced what is referred to as "archaeological revival jewelry," or "Egyptian revival jewelry." The initial?Egyptian Revival?period flourished from the 1820s onward, and was inspired by ancient Egyptian imagery, such as the scarab beetle, sphinxes, pharaohs, and hieroglyphics.
An?incredible and unusual pharaoh pendant necklace?from the Victorian?Egyptian Revival?(ca1880) era! Crafted in 14kt yellow gold, this large, oval-shaped pendant adorns a stunning enameled pharaoh bust, and hangs at the center of a beautiful chain. The enameled image features?fantastic details, including a dramatic black and white headress, a stoic facial expression complete with rosy cheeks and light brown eyes, and a vivid red and blue collar. The wonderful image is outlined with fine gold lines, and a sparkling old Mine Cut accent diamond rests at the center of the headress, sparkling beautifully in the light. The smoothly polished pendant is domed at the back, and hangs from a short extension chain embellished with?a rich blue and white enameled diamond shaped link at the top. The link is attached on either side to a chain featuring twisted wirework infinity links that?alternate with sections of delicate chain. The necklace fastens in the back with a simple spring ring clasp beside a small plaque stamped with a "14K" gold purity mark. The color combination of the enameled work paired with the gold setting is simply exquisite. The necklace would be perfect for any Egyptian Revival collector, and would make a very impressive addition to any jewelry collection!
Measurements:?The chain, not including the extension, measures approximately 18" long. The pendant and extension chain hang about 1 1/8" long. The pendant itself measures approximately 1" wide, 1 3/8" tall, and is 1/4" thick.?
Condition: The overall condition of the pendant necklace is excellent. Besides normal surface wear, there is no apparent damage to the gold setting. The enamel work is free of any significant chips or scratches except for some very minor surface wear on some of the black enamel, however it is not noticeable when worn. The diamond is intact and securely set and the spring ring clasp is secure and in good working order. ?