Pair of 19th century pearl, diamond, silver and gold figural Siren pendant earrings by Fanniere Freres, Paris c.1870, each finely modelled as a silver mermaid,

Pair of 19th century pearl, diamond, silver and gold figural Siren pendant earrings by Fanniere Freres, Paris c.1870, each finely modelled as a silver mermaid,
Price: £20,000-£50,000
Ref No. 06460
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Description
suspended with arms raised and holding onto a small diamond flowerhead surmount from pearl tops, the sculptural figures facing outward with wavy hair tied back and secured with a ribbon bow and part streaming behind, their sinuous bodies curving in a C shape extending behind to stylised fishy tails tapering and forming a looped scroll, the tails with fin detail and picked out with gold and rose cut diamond lines either side, suspending two graduated baroque pearl drops below, with rose cut diamond line caps, the pearl tops of rounded form and backed by gold flowerhead caps set with rose cut diamond accents, French gold assaymarks to the lower pearl fittings, unsigned.

Illustrated as part of a demi parure en suite with a pendant depicting the Amphitrite, goddess of the sea:
Henri Vever, 'La Bijouterie Francaise Au XIXe Siecle', Second Empire, vol II, original Paris 1908, this reproduction SPES (Studio per Edizioni Scelte), Firenze, p.199

Vever described the Fanniere Freres as successors to the goldsmith Fauconnier, 'Both raised near him, under his vigilant direction, adopting his traditions of loyalty, diligence and application with a love for perfection'. Auguste Fanniere was the sculptor and oversaw the development of form, of particular note in the example of these earrings. Joseph Fanniere was the chaser and executor. Between them they secured a place amongst the premiere goldsmiths of the time and saw further veneration through their successes at the Universal Exhibitions.
(Ref: Vever, ibid, pp.198-200)
Length 7.5cm / 2 7/8''
Width 0.9cm / 3/8''
Weight: 25g
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Pair of 19th century pearl, diamond, silver and gold figural Siren pendant earrings by Fanniere Freres, Paris c.1870, each finely modelled as a silver mermaid,

S.J. Phillips

S.J. Phillips Ltd

Pair of 19th century pearl, diamond, silver and gold figural Siren pendant earrings by Fanniere Freres, Paris c.1870, each finely modelled as a silver mermaid,

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