Rare egg-shaped pendant (meskia) for amulet or perfume, in 1 - Lot 201

Rare egg-shaped pendant (meskia) for amulet or perfume, in 14K yellow gold with filigree, forming a hollow box, hinged at the bottom, with a suspension loop and a fine hook on the back to open the jewel. Both sides decorated with swirling scrolls and foliage in smooth and twisted wire, enhanced with flat and blade-cut rose-cut diamonds. All set with rubies in a closed setting. It is adorned with seven pendants, including six long gold and pearl pendants, and a larger domed one in the center. Stones with wear and breakage. A small tassel is missing from the central pompom. North Africa, probably 19th century Height:11 cm. Gross weight: 90.5 gr. This jewel, a feminine accessory, could have been used to hold solid perfume such as musk. It is probably based on Ottoman models. Such piriform "meskia" pendants were made throughout the Maghreb, in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Two pendants formerly in the Paul Eudel collection are now in the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Paris. One in filigreed gold, similar to the one shown here, comes from Tunisia (inv. no. 74.1968.5.12); the other in chased gold comes from Algeria (inv. no. 74.1968.5.50). Piriform pendants in filigree gold are also sometimes found in Essaouira, Morocco. Expertise : Laure SOUSTIEL - Expert member of the S. F. E. P.