Etruscan revival pendant

mid–late 19th century

Not on view

While the pendant is not marked by Eugène Fontenay (1824–1887), it exhibits many of stylistic features closely associated with his work, including the matte enamel decoration, and the use of rose-cut diamonds, fine granulation, and beading. Fontenay was one of the leading jewelers working in France in the third quarter of the nineteenth century, and his jewelry was considered among the most technically refined of the work produced at this time. Much of Fontenay’s jewelry was influenced by the antique jewelry of the Campana collection, purchased by the French state in 1861. This Etruscan revival pendant is a reflection of Fontenay’s keen interest in classical prototypes. It is only the second work by Fontenay to enter the Museum’s collection. The pendant belongs to a distinguished group of archaeological jewelry from the second half of the nineteenth century in the Metropolitan Museum.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Etruscan revival pendant
Maker: Probably Eugêne Fontenay (French, 1823–1887)
Date: mid–late 19th century
Culture: French
Medium: Gold, enamel, diamond
Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 2 3/16 × 1 1/4 × 7/16 in. (5.5 × 3.1 × 1.1 cm)
Classifications: Metalwork-Gold and Platinum, Jewelry
Credit Line: Gift of Jacqueline Loewe Fowler, 2015
Object Number: 2015.403.1
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

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Necklace, Eugêne Fontenay French, Gold, enamel and diamonds, French, Paris — Necklace
Eugêne Fontenay
ca. 1870

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Renaissance revival pendant on chain, Carlo Giuliano Italian, Gold, amethyst, enamel, pearl, diamond, British — Renaissance revival pendant on chain
Carlo Giuliano
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Woman from the French Colonies, Charles-Henri-Joseph Cordier French, Algerian onyx-marble, bronze, and enamel; white marble socle, French, Paris — Woman from the French Colonies
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Charles-François Rossigneux
1861

Table clock with calendar, Lucien Falize French, Case: silver, partly enameled gold, hardstones, rock crystal, amethysts, and diamonds; movement: brass and steel, French, Paris — Table clock with calendar
Multiple artists/makers
1881

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