1900s French Art Nouveau Celestial Vanity Mirror Pendant

This pendant originates from the Art Nouveau period in France, circa the 1900s. Crafted from 800 silver, it houses two glass mirrors. Due to its complex and meticulous production process, mirrors were a luxury item symbolizing status, reserved for royalty and nobility, until the 17th century. Aristocratic women would use them at balls to display their wealth and standing. Even the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces) at the Palace of Versailles utilized its magnificent mirrored surfaces to showcase the power of the state and its monarch. As technological advancements led to decreased manufacturing costs, mirrors became more accessible to the middle class and gradually integrated into daily life. Vanity mirrors, designed to be carried, began to serve both functional and decorative purposes, evolving into fashion accessories. From the late 19th century onwards, factors such as increased access to education and a wider range of professional opportunities allowed women's roles in society to expand beyond the domestic sphere into public life. The vanity mirror pendant thus became more than just an ornamental jewel; it represented an extension of private space. It stands as a testament not only to the era's technological and design innovations but also to the evolving roles of women, their social standing, and the transformation of personal space. Both sides of this piece feature exquisite design details. The rippling, wave-like background is adorned with a regular starburst pattern, its fine texture reminiscent of velvet, framing a romantic and dazzling celestial expanse. The outer edge is decorated with a continuous floral motif, embodying the romantic and soft aesthetic of the Art Nouveau period. The bail bears the French 800 silver boar's head mark, with the maker's mark on the reverse. The pendant slides horizontally, revealing the interior mirror. A delicate clasp is located at the bottom; please pay attention to the direction when opening and closing. An interesting design consideration in Western culture holds that a broken mirror brings bad luck, hence the frames for the mirrors were often designed to be sturdy and substantial to prevent accidental damage. This item is in antique condition, showing normal signs of oxidation and wear. The silvering on both mirrors shows signs of age, which are inherent to the material and cannot be removed; please refer to the product images for details. This is a century-old antique piece, not a new item. *If the antique velvet ribbon shown in the image is desired, please note this in your order.* Origin: France Year: 1900s Material: 800 Silver (Boar's Head Mark) Dimensions: 5x3.4x0.8 cm (Total length including bail: 6.5 cm), Bail: 1x0.2x0.5 cm Weight: 39.74g Condition: Antique condition, with normal oxidation and signs of wear. *****Please Note***** The silvering on both mirrors shows signs of aging, which is not surface dirt and cannot be cleaned. Please refer to the product images for the condition. Purchase Information: Antique jewelry refers to pieces that are "over one hundred years old." Items less than a century old are classified as vintage or second-hand jewelry. All jewelry sold by Xiangcheng Antique Jewelry comes with a brand certificate detailing the item's era, materials, and other specifications. We offer a full refund if the item does not match the certificate. Each item's condition is meticulously documented with photographic equipment before sale to ensure customers are fully aware of any flaws or signs of wear. These images form an integral part of the product description. Therefore, customers are kindly requested to carefully assess their purchase intent before completing the checkout process. As our products are highly unique, we regret that we cannot accept returns or exchanges for any reason, including flaws or depreciation. We urge all customers to double-check their purchase decision before checkout to prevent any disputes. Shipping Methods: Enjoy "free shipping on any single jewelry purchase" for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan. All shipments within Taiwan will be sent via registered post. If you are unable to receive registered mail, please specify store pickup (7-11 or FamilyMart) in your order and provide the store name or code. Shipments to Hong Kong and Macau will be sent via SF Express.