GARDENS OF ARMIDA PENDANT NECKLACE

Inspired by the sheer opulence and intricacy of grand gilded baroque mirrors, this piece takes it's name from Torquato Tasso’s tale of Rinaldo and Armida. Magnificently ornate, this pendant necklace is as intoxicating as Armida’s garden itself.

Meticulously handcrafted in 9ct rose gold this pendant is delicately formed with a cornucopia of fine flourishes of scrollwork, floral garlands, fleurs-de-lis, and shells. The top of the pendant features a gorgeous 5.48 carat 12mm x 10mm cushion cut untreated morganite beneath a golden shell cradling a 3mm round creamy white pearl. Suspended below within it’s golden frame at the heart of the pendant lies an enchanting 13.1 carat 27mm x 13mm pear cut untreated morganite. A feast for the eyes, three 9mm x 8mm pearls complete the drop in ravissement! 

Measuring 100mm in length from the top of the shell to the bottom of the pearls, the pendant is 38mm in width at it's widest point.

The 9ct rose gold oval link heavy trace chain is 450mm (18 inches) in length complete with 9ct rose gold swivel clasp.

The total weight of this piece is 41.08 grams.

All pieces are made with love in William Llewellyn Griffiths' Melbourne studio. Upon request this necklace comes with an accredited valuation.

Torquato Tasso’s tale of Rinaldo and Armida was the subject of many beautiful Baroque and Rococo paintings. Finding crusader Rinaldo asleep by a river the sorceress Armida means to take his life, though once her eyes fall upon his face she falls deeply in love. Often depicted with pearls in her hair and surrounded by amorini, Armida binds Rinaldo with her rose garlands before abducting him on her flying chariot across the ocean to the island of Fortuna. There in the oasis of her enchanted gardens, Rinaldo bewitched and memoryless, is held captive, intoxicated by Armida’s love. His two knights Carlo and Ubaldo mount a rescue, and upon raising a mirror of diamond to his eyes the illusion is at last broken. Upon his escape Rinaldo is met on the opposite shores by the Magus of Ascalon who uses Rinaldo’s shield to conjure visions of his future victories in war and return his focus to his crusade. Armida, abandoned and grief stricken sheds many tears within her gardens and in some iterations is said to have destroyed them.