ticketsMember | Make a donation

Pendant in the Form of Neptune and a Sea Monster

early 17th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 540
This pendant is a typical example of the kind of jewelry that was fashionable during the last half of the 16th and beginnings of the 17th century in which natural materials such as (semi-) precious stones, choral and pearls were combined with precious metals and colorful enamel. In this pendant, the shape and provenance (the water) of the pearl are cleverly used as inspiration for its design in which the pearl forms the main body of a sea monster and is surmounted by the figure of the Roman sea god Neptune.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Pendant in the Form of Neptune and a Sea Monster
  • Date: early 17th century
  • Culture: probably Netherlandish
  • Medium: Baroque pearl with enameled gold mounts set with rubies, diamonds, pearls
  • Dimensions: Height: 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm)
  • Classifications: Jewelry, Metalwork-Gold and Platinum
  • Credit Line: The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection, 1982
  • Object Number: 1982.60.378
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Pendant with the Virgin and Child, Enameled gold set with diamonds and a ruby, Spanish
Pendant with the Virgin and Child
Spanish
probably first half 17th century
Snuffbox, Daniel Govaers (or Gouers) French, Gold, diamonds, French, Paris
Snuffbox
Daniel Govaers (or Gouers)
1734–35
Pendant reliquary with depiction of the Annunciation, Gold, enamel, rubies, crystal, pearl, rock crystal, Spanish
Pendant reliquary with depiction of the Annunciation
Spanish
17th century
Pendant with a Pelican in Her Piety, Rock crystal and enameled gold set with a ruby and with pendant pearls, probably Spanish
Pendant with a Pelican in Her Piety
probably Spanish
first quarter 17th century
Automaton in the form of a chariot pushed by a Chinese attendant and set with a clock, James Cox British, Case: gold with diamonds and paste jewels set in silver, pearls; Dial: white enamel; Movement: partly gilded brass and steel, wheel balance and cock of silver set with paste jewels, British, London
Automaton in the form of a chariot pushed by a Chinese attendant and set with a clock
James Cox
1766

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.