Art Nouveau Dragon Pendant Necklace

Circa 1895, and likely originally a small watch pin, this beautifully modeled yellow gold Art Nouveau dragon pendant came to us in it's present form. With intricately detailed wings, green glass eye and a fiery bright full-cut diamond in his jaws.

Details: Measuring approximately 1" north to south, not including the over-sized bail, and 1 1/8" east to west including the tips of the wings. XRF tests to solid 18k. Hung from a vintage 18" 10k cable chain. The approximately .05 ct full-cut diamond is graded SI-1, G color. Likely this is a later replacement of the orginal mine-cut diamond.

Condition: In excellent antique condition, with a rich patina, the pin findings were removed on the back leaving a few slight marks and some dimpling, not visible when worn. 

History: Dragons have fascinated us since the ancient Sumerians first put reed to clay tablet in an effort to relate the story of the beginning of man. A quick survey of the cosmologies of various so-called primitive cultures results in a grand total of 257 creation myths starring the dragon… ok, I made that up, but they seriously do figure in just about everyone's story of how the world began.

Symbolically they represent a mastery of all the elements of nature. One of the root meanings of the word translates from the Greek as "I see clearly" and this coupled with other traditional attributes of wisdom and strength illustrate the dragon metaphor as referring to one who sees the big picture and knows how to handle what life throws his or her way.