1900s French Art Nouveau Reverse Crystal Intaglio Floral Garden Pendant

This sterling silver pendant, resembling a miniature crystal ball, features a unique technique: reverse crystal intaglio. Crafted in France during the early 20th century (Art Nouveau period). Reverse crystal intaglio involves engraving the design onto the underside of a flat cabochon crystal, rather than directly onto the surface. Once the design is engraved, it is colored with pigments, backed with a material (the backing for this pendant is mother-of-pearl), and then set into a metal bezel and sealed. Because the crystal is domed, the image engraved on the underside appears magnified, creating a vivid, three-dimensional effect, like a tiny world captured within a crystal sphere. This technique was invented by the Belgian designer Emile Marius Pradier around 1860 and remained popular until the early 20th century. It was used in various accessories such as cufflinks, brooches, and earrings, with an extensive range of motifs including sports, equestrian scenes, flowers, insects, and animals. The design on this pendant depicts a vibrant garden filled with daisies, symbolizing purity, and forget-me-nots representing eternal devotion. A lucky red ladybug adorns the scene. Exquisite details and rich colors are beautifully complemented by the gentle, charming aesthetic against the white mother-of-pearl backdrop. This miniature pendant encapsulates beautiful symbolism and delicate natural scenery, showcasing the brilliance of this special craft in a delightful piece. The item is in good antique condition, with normal signs of oxidation and wear consistent with its age. It is a century-old antique, not a new item. Origin: France Year: 1900s Material: Sterling Silver Gemstones: Crystal, Mother-of-Pearl Dimensions: Pendant diameter 1.3 cm, thickness 0.6 cm, bail diameter 0.5 cm Weight: 1.56g Condition: Good antique condition, with normal oxidation and signs of wear. Please Note: Antique jewelry refers to pieces that are over 100 years old. Items less than a century old are classified as vintage or second-hand jewelry. All antique jewelry sold by Xiang Cheng will be accompanied by a brand certificate detailing the item's era, materials, etc. If the product does not match the certificate, a full refund will be issued. Each item's condition is meticulously documented with photographic equipment before sale to ensure customers are aware of any flaws or signs of use. Photographs form part of the item description. Therefore, customers are advised to carefully assess their purchase intent before checkout. Once the checkout process is completed, due to the unique nature of our products, returns or exchanges for any reason, including flaws or depreciation, cannot be accommodated. Please confirm your purchase intent thoroughly before checkout to avoid disputes. Shipping Information: Enjoy complimentary shipping on any single item purchase to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan. All shipments within Taiwan will be sent via registered post by Chunghwa Post. If registered post is inconvenient, please specify store pickup (7-11 or FamilyMart) in your order and provide the store name or code. Shipments to Hong Kong and Macau will be sent via SF Express.