Necklace and Pendant with a Sphinx

c. 1890

Alfred André

Associated Names
Alfred André

Jeweler, French, 1839 - 1919

This is a photograph of an ornate necklace made from gold, pearls, and gemstones. The necklace features an intricate chain with repeating motifs of red and white gems encased in a gold setting. The central pendant shows a figure with a sculpted face and extended wings, with three pearls hanging beneath. The background is dark, emphasizing the craftsmanship and design of the jewelry.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gold enameled in white, black, translucent red, blue, and green; 28 diamonds, 5 emeralds, 43 rubies, 37 pearls

  • Credit Line

    Widener Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (pendant): 11.1 x 5.2 x 1.5 cm (4 3/8 x 2 1/16 x 9/16 in.)
    overall (chain): 60.7 cm (23 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1942.9.307

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Said to have belonged to Comtesse Batowska (city unknown). Charles J. Wertheimer [1842-1911], London. (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London, New York, and Paris); purchased 28 October 1911 by Peter A. B. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, probably as Italian sixteenth century (Benvenuto Cellini); inheritance from the Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, 1942.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1935

  • Inventory of the Objects d'Art at Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, The Estate of the Late P.A.B. Widener. Philadelphia, 1935: 46-47.

1942

  • Works of Art from the Widener Collection. Foreword by David Finley and John Walker. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1942: 11, as Italian 16th Century (Style of Benvenuto Cellini).

1956

  • Steingräber, Erich. Alter Schmuck. Munich, 1956: 114, fig. 192. English ed. 1957: 113, fig. 192.

1975

  • Walker, John. National Gallery of Art, Washington. New York, 1975: 36, color repro.

1979

  • Hackenbroch, Yvonne. Renaissance Jewellery. London and Munich, 1979: 237-238, no. 637, color pl. 29.

1981

  • Newman, Harold. An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewellery. London, 1981: 287, color pl. 11.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 165-166.

1993

  • Distelberger, Rudolf, Alison Luchs, Philippe Verdier, and Timonthy H. Wilson. Western Decorative Arts, Part I: Medieval, Renaissance, and Historicizing Styles including Metalwork, Enamels, and Ceramics. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. Washington, D.C., 1993: 303-305, color repro. 303.

2019

  • Vignon, Charlotte. Duveen Brothers and the Market for Decorative Arts, 1880-1940. New York, 2019: 103, 259 n. 269.

Wikidata ID

Q62131042

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