An exceptional Limoges enamel pendant by Lucien Delrive

For sale is this fantastic large Limoges enamel pendant (no chain)  by Lucien Delrive (signed L Delrive). Delrive studied under Alfred Meyer, the “Alexander Fisher” of France, who is credited with reviving historical Limoges enamelling techniques in the late 19th century.

Delrive was one of his most exceptional students and wrote the book  “Les Émaux De Limoges, a la portée de tous, par Lucien Delrive eléve d´Alfred Meyer” (“The enamels of Limoges, accessible to everyone, by Lucien Delrive, student of Alfred Meyer”).

This pendant shows fantastic skill in creating a beautifully foiled holly bush enamel background overlaid with a translucent grisaille, (“pate sur pate”) enamel of a young woman.  The use of green and red, the two colours requiring the hottest and coldest firings, together with a delicate painterly grisaille enamel overlay, makes this an exceptional piece.

The enamel presents perfectly with one small area of restoration to the left side of the enamel.  The metal surround appears to be chrome and is probably not original though old.

Price: Sold

Maker: Lucien Delrive

Designer: Lucien Delrive

Date : c 1910

Marks: Enamel. Signed, L. Delrive

Material: White metal, enamel

Condition: Presents perfectly, small area of enamel restoration

Size: 6.25cm wide, 4.5cm high (max)

Weight : NM