A portrait cast in warmth and light.
This exquisite Art Nouveau locket bears the work of Emile Dropsy (1876–1951), the celebrated French medallist whose female profiles became emblematic of the Belle Époque. Across its front, a woman is rendered in flowing low relief - her hair entwined with botanical forms, her gaze lifted, poised somewhere between allegory and dream.
Dropsy’s figures  embody season, nature, spirit - the idealised feminine so central to Art Nouveau design. The sinuous lines and rhythmic composition are unmistakable, a small medallic sculpture transformed into something intimate and wearable.
This piece is gold fix - a high-quality gold overlay bonded to a base metal core, widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to achieve the richness of solid gold with durability and accessibility. The surface retains a beautiful, even tone, with gentle age-related wear that only enhances its depth.
The locket opens to reveal its original glazed frame, ready to hold a photograph or pressed flower. The reverse is plain and softly brushed, allowing the sculptural front to speak entirely for itself.
A wearable fragment of French Art Nouveau - romantic, collectible, and striking.
• Art Nouveau, early 20th century
• Designed by E Dropsy
• Gold fix (rolled gold overlay)
• Hinged locket with original glazed insert
• Very good antique condition with light, age-appropriate wear
For lovers of portraiture, symbolism, and the enduring poetry of the fin de siècle.