This pendant shows a helmeted warrior or soldier and was probably made in Italy.
It centres on a baroque pearl from the Portuguese barocco, an irregularly shaped pearl, one in which the normal smooth deposition of the pearly nacre was disrupted resulting in an organic formation. These forms inspired artistic creativity and baroque pearls suggestive of lions, swans, unicorns, mermen and many other forms were prized in the 16th centuries and can be found in museum collections today.
Gold mounts, coloured enamels, table cut diamonds, cabochon emeralds and rubies emphasise the shape the natural form of the pearl.
The pendants were often worn suspended from chains.
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