Vintage Austrian 14k gold and enamel lute pendant

This is a 14k gold and enamel lute pendant from Austria, dating back to the 1950s.

Regardless of one's familiarity with the field of music, most have encountered this ancient musical instrument in Western art— the lute. The lute is a wooden plucked string instrument known for its warm and melodious tones. One of its distinctive features is the prominent rounded soundbox, which gained popularity from the Middle Ages to the Baroque era but has a history that traces back even further.

This petite pendant is meticulously crafted, with a three-dimensional design that clearly highlights the rounded arch-shaped soundbox, resembling a halved pear when viewed from the side. Both the front and back are adorned with delicate hand-painted sky-blue enamel. Even the spaces on the neck of the lute are filled with colorful details, and the back features a ripple-like water wave design, subtly adding a sense of musical rhythm. It's an intriguing and finely crafted piece.

The pendant is in good condition, displaying normal signs of oxidation and wear. The color of enamel is slightly darkened at some parts. On its bale it is stamped 585, indicating it is made of 14k gold.

As the assessment of an item's condition is highly subjective, please click and enlarge our photos to examine more detailed condition highlights for your judgment.