Necklaces

A rare French oval antique locket pendant holding a porcelain miniature of a young woman dressed simply with bare feet reading a letter beside a sheep amongst flowers and trees on the left with a folly in the background enamelled en grisaille on a pretty mid pink background. Dressing as a shepherdess in a pastoral setting was a popular romantic affectation.

The miniature is secured in the frame by a fine worked gold border, the plaque is surrounded by a scalloped border of well matched turquoise cabochons set in silver. The bale is decorated with a naturalistic bow of smaller turquoise cabochons enhanced with three small seed pearls set in silver. The reverse holds a securely hinged glazed compartment lined in pale blue fabric stamped in gold in the centre 26 AVRIL (26 April)

The French “en grisaille” signifies a painting technique using monochromatic greys. Grisaille comes from the French word for grey “gris”. The technique often features a pink background making an attractive combination and emphasising the enamel work.