French Art Deco Devotional Pendant

A refined and quietly evocative antique French devotional pendant, made in Paris around 1920 and firmly rooted in the early Art Deco period. Crafted in 18K gold, the pendant is centred with an oval plaque of luminous mother-of-pearl, finely engraved with the serene side profile of the Virgin Mary, her veil softly articulated with delicate linear detail.

The gold mount is bell-shaped in form, a geometry characteristic of the period, and enriched with stylised rose motifs worked in low relief around the frame. These decorative elements balance sacred symbolism with the emerging modernity of Art Deco design. The reverse is plain and polished, allowing the pendant to sit comfortably when worn and emphasising the quality of the goldwork.

The pendant weighs 1.52 grams and measures approximately 2.5 × 1.7 cm. It bears the Paris eagle head hallmark confirming 18K gold, along with the maker’s mark ‘CF’.

This piece was acquired as part of a small group of mother-of-pearl religious pendants originating from the lost stock of an old French manufacturer specialising in devotional jewellery and medals; an increasingly scarce survival from a now-vanished workshop tradition. The condition is very good, with crisp engraving and well-preserved detail throughout.