French Napoléon I Double-Sided “Verre églomisé” Gold Pendant c.1810

This is a double-sided pendant from France, dating back to the 1810s, crafted entirely from 18k gold. The frame is adorned with pearls and glass pearls, using the Verre églomisé technique for coloring. Verre églomisé is a French term referring to the process of applying both a design and gilding onto the rear face of glass to produce a mirror finish. Since the painting is on the back of the glass, the surface feels smooth like a mirror, hence the name. Over time, this term has come to refer to any technique that uses paint and gilding applied to the back of glass.

The design of this piece is inspired by Roman mythology, depicting Psyche and Cupid. In the myth, Psyche is a mortal woman of extraordinary beauty, so much so that she incites the jealousy of Venus, the goddess of love. When Venus sends her son Cupid to eliminate Psyche, Cupid instead falls in love with her at first sight and secretly keeps her close, hiding his true identity. In the scene, Psyche is seated on a rock with her hands on her chest, while Cupid embraces her. This composition is based on the 1789 painting "Psyche Receiving Cupid's First Kiss" by French artist François Gérard.

On the other side of the pendant is a male head, believed to be the deified hero Hercules. The legend of Hercules includes well-known tasks such as defeating the Nemean Lion, the Hydra, and Cerberus, among twelve labors. The artwork depicts the hero's head in a simple yet striking manner, with a marble-like green background skillfully rendered to resemble the texture of marble.

The pendant features a rhombus-shaped frame decorated with glass pearls. The openwork gaps are connected by blown glass pearls, which are artificial imitations created through multiple processes. With the relative ease of obtaining real pearls, this craft is now rare. The pendant combines themes of love and heroism as symbols of strength and beauty, and the simple geometric outlines reflect a longing for the rational balance of ancient Greek and Roman art. Overall, this piece is an exquisite and rare work in terms of craftsmanship, conception, and symbolism.

The pendant is in good antique condition, with normal oxidation and signs of wear. The upper part has one glass pearl that was a later replacement. The gold threads for the glass pearls show significant oxidation.

Since the assessment of condition is highly subjective, please click and enlarge our photos to view more detailed condition as a basis for your judgment.