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Eugène Fontenay Etruscan Revival Gold and Enamel Locket
- This Etruscan Revival locket by Eugène Fontenay joins fine art and goldsmithing at the highest level
- The 18K yellow gold jewel centers a matte enamel miniature by Salon painter Eugène Richet
- This celebrated jewelry series earned a Gold Medal at the 1867 Exposition Universelle
- Comparable examples held in major museum collections, including the Met and the British Museum
- Get complete item description here
$34,500
Item No.
32-2583
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Description
Among the finest expressions of the Etruscan Revival, this locket by renowned Parisian jeweler Eugène Fontenay centers a matte enamel miniature by Salon painter Eugène Richet. This celebrated jewelry series earned a Gold Medal at the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle, with examples held in major museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum.
The jewel is rendered in richly toned 18K yellow gold, formulated in Fontenay’s own workshop to achieve. . .
The jewel is rendered in richly toned 18K yellow gold, formulated in Fontenay’s own workshop to achieve. . .
Read More
Among the finest expressions of the Etruscan Revival, this locket by renowned Parisian jeweler Eugène Fontenay centers a matte enamel miniature by Salon painter Eugène Richet. This celebrated jewelry series earned a Gold Medal at the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle, with examples held in major museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum.
The jewel is rendered in richly toned 18K yellow gold, formulated in Fontenay’s own workshop to achieve a distinctive antique hue. The effect recalls the softly weathered surfaces of ancient frescoes uncovered in Pompeii, echoed in Richet’s matte enamel technique. Delicate rose cut diamonds accent the jewel, while the interior is fitted with a glass compartment framed in 18K gold for a treasured photograph or keepsake.
A leading figure of the 19th-century archaeological revival, Eugène Fontenay drew inspiration from the famed Campana Collection acquired by Napoleon III, translating ancient motifs into jewels of remarkable refinement. His collaborations with artists such as Eugène Richet elevated his work beyond ornament, blending fine art and goldsmithing in a manner that defined the height of Second Empire taste. Today, Fontenay's works are preserved in institutions such as the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, affirming his legacy as one of the most innovative jewelers of his time.
Circa 1870
Signed with maker's mark "EF"
The jewel is rendered in richly toned 18K yellow gold, formulated in Fontenay’s own workshop to achieve a distinctive antique hue. The effect recalls the softly weathered surfaces of ancient frescoes uncovered in Pompeii, echoed in Richet’s matte enamel technique. Delicate rose cut diamonds accent the jewel, while the interior is fitted with a glass compartment framed in 18K gold for a treasured photograph or keepsake.
A leading figure of the 19th-century archaeological revival, Eugène Fontenay drew inspiration from the famed Campana Collection acquired by Napoleon III, translating ancient motifs into jewels of remarkable refinement. His collaborations with artists such as Eugène Richet elevated his work beyond ornament, blending fine art and goldsmithing in a manner that defined the height of Second Empire taste. Today, Fontenay's works are preserved in institutions such as the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, affirming his legacy as one of the most innovative jewelers of his time.
Circa 1870
Signed with maker's mark "EF"
Read Less
Specifications
| Period: | 19th Century |
| Origin: | France |
| Type: | Pendants |
| Style: | Belle Époque |
| Stones: | Diamonds |
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
