1850s French Aurillac holy spirit pendant

This Holy Spirit pendant is a rare piece of French regional jewelry from Auvergne. It is crafted from 18k solid gold and adorned with foiled-back citrines and pastes. Enamel on such regional Holy Spirit pendants is often delicate and prone to damage, yet the enamel on this piece remains remarkably well-preserved. This pendant is the largest of the three in its collection.

The piece features white feathers depicted in enamel, accented with green and blue dots, creating a vibrant contrast that enhances the lively appearance of the dove.

The citrine is set in a closed-back setting, with a red foil backing that creates a visually striking warm orange hue. The interplay of red, yellow, and orange produces a gradient effect, giving the pendant a fascinating color shift when viewed from different angles. This color variation is often referred to as an "oil and vinegar color" in antique jewelry, describing how two distinct colors mix but don’t completely blend, similar to how oil and vinegar separate in a bottle. This captivating effect changes with each viewing angle.

The downward dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit, while the three teardrop-shaped gems represent the tears of Christ. Holy Spirit pendants often serve as meaningful gifts, either given by a groom to his bride or passed down from mother to daughter. They are more than mere adornments; they accompany the wearer throughout life.

You can explore more of our Holy Spirit pendant collection by searching the hashtag #HolySpirit.

When wearing the pendant, please avoid contact with water to prevent the foil backing from oxidizing and discoloring. The pendant is in good antique condition, showing normal signs of oxidation and wear, with the enamel well-preserved except for minor loss.

As condition assessments are subjective, please click and enlarge our photos to view more detailed condition aspects as part of your evaluation.