A Continental pendant of extraordinary detail and character — a hand holding a basket of natural pearls, the hand set with ruby paste and clear white paste stones, two bangles encircling the wrist, all in 800 silver and 9ct gold. This is a piece where the description barely does justice to the object: every element has been thought through and executed with care.
The hand as a motif in jewellery carries multiple associations — the hand of friendship, the hand of faith, the hand of the giver. Here it holds a basket of pearls — purity, generosity, abundance — the ruby paste adding warmth and colour to the white of the paste and pearl. The two bangles on the wrist are a detail of particular refinement, giving the hand a specificity and humanity that a plain hand would lack.
There is a minor chip to a single paste ruby in the lower central row, visible only on close inspection.
Of Continental origin, in the Art Deco manner.
Era: Art Deco, c.1920
Hallmarks:
Tests as 9ct gold with 800 silver. Marked with a scorpion motif. Likely makers mark.
