A polychrome enamelled gold locket
by Falize

modelled as a scarab, its back decorated with vivid translucent enamels applied over paillons
supporting chased gold legs contrasting with a brown translucent enamelled underbody,
the reverse applied with Royal blue and turquoise translucent enamels over lozenge shaped
silver paillons simulating micro- mosaic, the cover consisting of bevelled gold mounted glass.

Lucein Falize, Paris circa 1880-1890.

6.3 cm by

The use of translucent enamels over paillons was a speciality of Falize's oeuvre and these were
usually contrasted with an opaque ivory coloured enamel, as seen in the 'Recuerdo' brooch featured
in the jewellery section of this website. The extraordinary intensity of colour evident in this particular
jewel is achieved by vibrant enamels being juxtaposed with each other. The dazzling counter enamel
is highly unusual and can be seen in only one other example of Falize's work, a tri-lobed box in
the Persian taste in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum in New York.