Georges BRAQUE (1882-1963)

Phaeton, Gold Pendant, c. 1963

18ct textured gold pendant/brooch (model no. 54) of a stylised bird flying left, with three suspension loops on the reverse and a long pin.

Marks: inscribed on the reverse, BIJOUX DE BRAQUE PAR HEGER DE LÖWENFELD, © EP 54 R2, and stamped with two French 18ct gold hallmarks

Dimensions: L. 9.15 cm; H. 5.75 cm

Literature: Martine Newby Haspeslagh, Jewelry by Contemporary Painters and Sculptors 250: 1967-2017 (Didier Ltd, London 2017), pp. 32-3, no. 19

According to a certificate signed by Heger de Löwenfeld and dated 8th December 1964, this example of model no. 54 was specially created for Madame Wessex who worked at Gallerie Maeght, Paris. This would explain both the three suspension loops on the reverse, so that it could be worn as a pendant, and the lack of an edition number.