A magnificent French Art Nouveau stickpin in 18ct yellow gold, dating to circa 1880. The head is modelled as a mythical dragon in three dimensions — the body hand-engraved with a refined satin finish that gives the goldwork a naturalistic, scaled texture — with the dragon's jaws clasping an old cut diamond. At 5.4g with a head of 1.9 × 1.4cm and a pin length of 6.5cm, this is a stickpin of exceptional scale and presence. Hallmarked with French assay marks for 18ct gold.

A tour de force of Belle Époque goldsmithing — the dragon is one of the great mythological subjects of the Art Nouveau period, and a hand-engraved French example of this weight and quality with a diamond-set jaw is a stickpin of real rarity and importance.

The Details

• Origin: French
• Circa: 1880
• Metal: 18ct yellow gold (hand-engraved, satin finish)
• Stone: Old cut diamond (clasped in dragon's jaws)
• Weight: 5.4g
• Head Dimensions: 1.9 × 1.4cm
• Pin Length: 6.5cm
• Hallmarks: French assay for 18ct gold