French hand painted rebus charm c.1780

This pendant, dating back to 1780s France, is crafted in 18k solid gold with a hand-painted design on ivory, making it a rebus jewelry piece.

"Rebus" in Latin means objects or things. A rebus is a puzzle in which words or phrases are represented by a combination of pictures or letters that sound like the intended word or phrase. The true meaning is hidden within the composition, waiting to be deciphered by those in the know. This method was popular in the Middle Ages for representing names on coats of arms, and during the Renaissance, these clever and witty designs became favored by many.

The composition of this piece, from top to bottom, includes the letters L, C, A, and "mer," where the letter A is depicted as a cradle. When pronounced in French in this order, it sounds like "elle sait aimer," which translates to "she knows to love" in English, revealing the solution to the rebus puzzle. This pendant was a gift intended for a mother expecting a newborn.

As a blessing gift, the pendant features beautifully written letters in cursive, a simple and charming cradle design, and a star motif as decoration, all framed in an elegant and refined gold setting. The overall piece is delicate and intriguing, rich in subtle emotion and meant to express a special bond between two people.

The pendant is in antique condition consistent with its age, showing normal oxidation and signs of wear, with the hand-painted design still recognizable. Since the evaluation of condition is highly subjective, please click and enlarge our photos to view more detailed information as a basis for your assessment.