Antique Chain + French Silver Slide Pedant Mirror with Minerva and Diane, Signed Louis RAULT c. 1880

This beautiful silvered mirror slide was crafted and signed by Louis Rault (1847-1903), a self made man born of a shoemaker who worked worked for Boucheron for seven years before going on to become widely respected in his own right. Although largely forgotten now, in his time he won numerous awards and gained praise from none other than Vever who once called him "perhaps the greatest chaser of our time".

In the beautifully crafted front of the slide mirror we can see an a figure of Minerva in profile wearing a helmet upon which a winged chimera is perched. The Roman counterpart to Athena, this goddess was worshiped for her wisdom and sponsorship of arts, trade, and strategy.

On the back side of the slide, the Roman theme continues with Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and the moon. In Greek mythology, she is the equivalent of the goddess Artemis. Diana is often depicted as a skilled huntress, carrying a bow and arrow, and is associated with wild animals and nature. As a lunar goddess, she also has ties to the moon, influencing its phases and guiding the night. Diana was highly revered in Roman religion, and her worship had various aspects, including as a protector of women and children.

The pendant is paired with a silver rope chain which is hallmarked for 800 purity and matches the pendant with its lovely deep patina that can only come with time.

CONDITION NOTES:
The pendant is in very good condition and closes securely. The mirror is the original from 1880 and, as such, has been worn and weathered with time. It is still functional but has foxing visible in photos and the video.

Material: 800 Silver
Weight: 13.35 g pendant/6.9 g chain
Period: c. 1880
Size of Pendant: 1.2" or 3 cm diameter
Length of chain: 19.7" or 50 cm

All items in the shop are shipped with tracking and insurance within 48 hours of receiving an order. Items over 250 euros are shipped via Colissimo Express so that your item is in your hands as quickly as possible.

Please check all photos, descriptions, and measurements thoroughly. Contact me if you have any questions and I'll be happy to answer.

For other Belle Epoque pieces, such as those in the last photo, please visit our shop:
www.belleepoquejewelers.etsy.com