Pendant - No reserve price Art Nouveau chatelaine jewelry piece: Two-tone bronze mechanical pencil with griffin and crown (c. - Exclusive

Here is a superb and rare specimen of a chatelaine or pocket dagger pendant, dating from the transitional period between the Eclectic Historicism and the fully developed Art Nouveau movement,datable to around 1890-1900.
This refined pocket jewel stands out for an extraordinary and elaborate two-tone craftsmanship: the central stem is engraved and shows the warm tones of bronze and yellow gold, while the lower tip and the bulging upper cap are finished in a bright, glossy white metal for contrast. The body of the object is not cylindrical, but features a sophisticated geometric structure of flat-faced sections alternating with longitudinal ribs. On one side of the stem emerges, in very high relief, the magnificent heraldic figure of a winged griffin rampant crowned with a regal coronet, finely detailed. The background is entirely saturated by a dense, deep engraving of leafy volutes and elements of organic plant life, where the skilled use of brunite (bronzing) in the grooves enhances the sculptural three-dimensionality of the piece. The upper end preserves the original through-ring, designed for attaching to the precious waist-chain or watch chains of the era’s upper middle class.
Technical Features and Details
This precious functional bijou for a chatelaine is made of solid bronze with an era-appropriate two-tone galvanic finish in yellow gold and white metal, enriched with darkened details. Dating to the period around 1890–1900, it shows the heraldic crowned griffin iconography on a vegetal texture worked in relief. The overall length is 6.0 centimeters, a classic and particularly prestigious measurement for this type of object, while the total weight is 11.4 grams, testifying to a solid, robust casting that excludes the use of stamped thin sheet. The piece is presented in excellent period aesthetic condition, with its splendid original patina beautifully preserved and an internal retractable mechanism functioning perfectly and smoothly.
Curiosities and Expert Notes
This lot represents a perfect example of how late nineteenth-century luxury craftsmanship translated the symbols of heraldic tradition under the influence of the nascent Art Nouveau aesthetic. While the structural essence of this pendant adheres to the strict classical geometric norms (the panelled geometric section favored an ergonomic and solid grip for writing), its external appearance and visual impact speak entirely the language of modernism. The engraving is not static but develops with organic and fluid vitality. Above all, the choice of high-contrast two-tone finish is a decorative device typical of Art Nouveau jewelry, designed to catch the glint of light as the body moves, drawing attention to the griffin emblem.
In the era’s imagination, the griffin—a mythical guardian of gold and treasures—was not only a noble symbol but also assumed a symbolic function tied to the object itself: a guardian of intimate thoughts, confidential messages, and secrets scratched by the owner with this small pocket masterpiece. It is a piece of great charm, ideal for enriching collections of elite writing instruments or antique chatelaine accessories.