Dated and signed by the Grand Prize winning artist, "Mathieu Deroche, 39, Bd des Capucines, Paris, 1900", this is a masterfully done kiln-fired enamel on copper convex plaque. A Grand Tour souvenir, perhaps, and both it and the magnificent French paste stone/gem studded locket frame with pendant bale, are an amazing find. "Grand Prix", meaning this artist was awarded top honors for skill at the 1900 Expo, Paris. And Bd des Capucines is a very well-heeled address, as well. He has captured the likeness in perfect detail of many an elite traveler or Parisian society person, and his work can be seen well in museums and in online collections and at auction in fine houses. However, I have not seen any in a frame quite so elegant as this. And, while a few of the french paste gems have gone missing, it still retains most and nearly all of its original juste and elegance. It is a locket-frame, hinged on backside, a fine piece of Edwardian era jewelry. A museum piece!
Very good to excellent, the exquisitely crafted jeweled locket frame with bale will allow you to wear as a large pendant, or to hang in display. Yes, several of the varied size French paste faux diamonds have gone missing in 120 or so years since hand made, but can perhaps be replaced if you take it on as a project, or, since they're not prong-settings, they really look just fine with openwork. I would not hesitate to wear it just as it is. Measurements are on the photos. The portrait miniature is a beautiful likeness of a young woman, and it hasn't a bit of damage. The locket compartment is deeper than to hold just the oval enameled plaque, and I suspect it originally also housed a plaiting of this girl's chestnut hair, visible in the glassed backside of the locket. Sort of begs to have such a depth item behind the miniature, or a border spacer. Stunning item!
