This 18k gold pendant features the profile of a maiden with a wreath of diamonds in her hair—a classic, art nouveau interpretation of beauty. Reminiscent of a Gibson Girl, these iconic art nouveau maidens were once considered the ideal for feminine beauty, and depicted women as autonomous, stylish, and sensual. Like the woman on the pendant, Gibson Girls were usually shown with thin necks and flowing hair pinned up into voluptuous buns. The design of this pendant is simplistic, the maiden’s profile highlighted against a clean, gold background. A maker’s mark can be seen in the corner—an “MH” in a heart—which is unidentified but linked the Art Nouveau period.
The pendant contains nine tiny diamonds, 1mm each, bead set into the maiden’s hair.
This particular pendant is special because it is also a love token. The back of the pendant is engraved with a monogram intertwining the letters D & M with the date 4-23-1921.
The pendant weighs 3.7 grams and has a diameter of approximately 7/8 of an inch. The bail is approximately 4.5mm x 7mm.
