Spain, circa 1910.

This ornate Art Nouveau era gold and platinum pendant features a finely carved bone bust of praying Madonna shaded with pink paint. The carving is executed in Spanish medieval taste.

The depiction of Madonna is set against a plique a jour enamel background. Plique-à-jour (French for “letting in daylight”) is a vitreous enamelling technique which resembles stained glass. The technique was especially popular in Art Nouveau era jewelry of the 1890s – early 1900s.

The gold and platinum bezel is accented with small old mine cut diamonds and is surmounted by a stylized crown.

The back of the pendant has a later engraving: “MP 18 – 5 – 44”.

The pendant is 42 mm (1 5/8 in.) high and 33 mm (1 1/4 in.) wide.

Sold without chain.