18K Gold Plique-à-Jour Italian Egg Pendant

Suspended from a hinge bail is a beautiful 18k gold plique-à-jour egg shaped pendant. Geometric patterns of circles overlap each other to create a series of flowerlike shapes and concave diamonds. When held up to the light, the pendant has all the magic that plique-à-jour pieces do. The open back has a floral pattern that allows sunlight to cascade through. 

“Plique-à-jour” translates from French as “letting in daylight” and is a charming technique used in jewelry throughout the 20th century. To create this effect, colored, transparent enamel is suspended between 18k gold backless cells to allow light to illuminate the piece with vibrant colors, similar to a stained glass window. 

This vintage pendant is from Italy, circa 1970’s or 1980’s. It is marked on the bail as 18k and with the mark for Turino, the city in Italy where it was made. 

The pendant features an operable bail that clicks open and closed. This would allow the egg to be worn from a thicker chain, or to easily clip onto a necklace. The bail is approximately 5x4 mm. The piece weighs 6.25 grams. It is approximately 1” (or 1 3/8” including the bail). It is in perfect condition. 

Eggs represent beginnings and new life. This pendant could be worn to symbolize creativity, fertility, and the manifestation of dreams and ideas.