René Lalique Art Nouveau Plique-à-jour Enamel, Fire Opal and Diamond Damselfly

Created circa 1900-1902, this damselfly pendant necklace by René Lalique is composed of plique-à-jour, pailonné, and champlevé enamel, fire opal, diamonds and 18K gold. It is designed as four damselflies with champlevé and plique-à-jour enamel wings, in shades of lavender and indigo, with touches of green, highlighted by old European and old mine-cut diamonds,joining slender opalescent blue pailloné (foiled) enamel bodies, the reverse with elaborate chased designs, roosting on a fire opal cabochon, suspended from a later trace link chain punctuated by opal beads. A masterful study in challenging enamel techniques, this rare jewel summons a mood of beauty, peace and evanescence in nature.

Item #: N-21371
Artist: René Lalique
Country: France
Circa: 1900-1902
Dimensions: 1.50" length, 3.75" width.
Materials: 30 old European-cut diamonds (approximate total weight 0.70 carat); 1 cabochon fire opal; Plique-à-jour, Paillonné and Champlevé Enamel; 18K Gold
Signed: LALIQUE
Exhibition History: A dragonfly necklace employing a similar combination of plique-à-jour, pailonné, and champlevé enamel is held in the collection of the Musée Orsay (OAO 898) and is on view there.
Literature: An elaborate damselflies necklace with wings of similar design dated circa 1900-1902 is pictured in The Master Jewelers, Kenneth Snowman, ed., p. 133.