Description

Antique Austro Hungarian Silver, Gold and gemstone ‘St George and the Dragon’ pendant, circa 1870.

This stunning handmade silver and enamel pendant shows St George, dressed in a purple tunic with ‘royal blue’ trousers and matching hat. St George sits astride a white horse with a gold mane and tail, beneath him is a fierce looking ’emerald green’ Dragon, hanging upside down. It has articulated wings (the one in the front moves freely and the one on the reverse is fixed), found only on the finest, high quality examples, embellished with a Sapphire gemstone on the front and on the reverse.

This highly collectable 3D pendant is skillfully made with colourful enamelling (including the 3 gold stars on the wings of the dragon). It is as beautifully detailed on the reverse as it is on the front
the enamelling is a work of art!
The pendant is attached via two sections of belcher link chain to a jump ring fitting and measures 30 x 42mm ( 60 mm with chain).

There are a total of three Sapphires (two on the wings and one on the saddle)

Back in the 1800’s, Austria-Hungary established itself as a maker of top quality jewellery.
Workshops in Austria-Hungary crafted the majority of these Renaissance and Gothic Revival pieces between 1860 and 1910.

About St George and the Dragon.

In English folklore, St. George slew the mighty dragon.
According to legend, a dragon was terrorizing a pagan town in Libya. The locals kept throwing sheep to it to placate it, and when it still remained unsatisfied, they started sacrificing some of the people. Finally, the local princess Sabra, daughter of the King, was to be thrown to the beast, but good St. George came along, slaughtered the dragon and rescued the fair princess. At this, the townsfolk converted to Christianity.

Some experts think the tale is based on the Greek myth of Perseus rescuing Andromeda from a sea monster

DETAILS
Measurements: 30 x 60mm (height including chain)
Weight: 17.2 grams
Condition: Good condition
Date: Victorian (1837 to 1901)