René LALIQUE - Lot 810

René LALIQUE 18K (750°/°°) yellow gold pendant depicting Venus against a background of green and blue enameled peacock feathers, it holds as a pendant an old-cut cushion diamond surmounting a probably fine baroque pearl. The back is entirely blue enameled. Central element of a larger necklace Signed in full on the edge, circa 1896-1898 Dimensions: approx. 39 x 52 mm - Gross weight: 13.8 g See reproduction of a similar "Venus" brooch in "René Lalique: Schmuck und Objets d'Art 1890-1910" page 105, ref 25. Model to be compared with a brooch sold on October 26, 2013 at the Hôtel des Ventes d'Avignon. RENE LALIQUE (1860-1945) is considered the most influential creator of L'Art Nouveau. After starting out as a designer for leading Parisian houses, he founded his own company in 1885 and never ceased to innovate and inspire his contemporaries, depicting fauna, flora and fantastic bestiary in volume, using enamel and gemstones and introducing new materials. His jewelry was worn by the "Tout Paris", and he also designed for the stage, notably for Sarah Bernhardt. After the First World War, he turned to Art Deco, and worked with glass until the end of his life.