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Prudentia
  • Pendant
  • Prudentia
  • Unknown Artist / Maker
  • Probably France
  • Date: 16th century (cameo) and 19th century
  • Medium: Chalcedony, gold, silver, enamel, diamonds, rubies, emerald, pearls
  • Height: 8.5 cm
  • Width: 3.2 cm
  • Depth: 0.5 cm
  • Inv: W63
  • Location: Smoking Room
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Description
Provenance
  • This pendant jewel depicts Prudentia (Prudence), one of the seven virtues, with her traditional attributes: a diamond mirror (which endows her with knowledge of the past, present and future) and a serpent (the all-knowing serpent of earthly paradise). The head and arms are made from chalcedony (a valuable hardstone) and originally formed part of a 'commesso' (a cameo combined with enamelled gold and gemstones) made in 16th-century France. At a later time, the chalcedony pieces have been reassembled and set into a gold and enamel pendant. Damage to her left arm has been disguised with a silver bracelet. The quality of the enamelling is fine and the diamond 17th century.