Gold, marcasite and ivory friendship/love pendant Probably France, late...

Gold, marcasite and ivory friendship/love pendant

Probably France, late 18th century

Tear-shaped, painted with dog and seated female figure offering flowering branch to flying cupid beneath the inscription, "L'AMITIE. EST. PREFERABLE," marcasite surround, seemingly unmarked.

1 1/2 in. x 1 in. (sight)

PROVENANCE:

The Collection of Irvin & Anita Schorsch.
Acquired in 1986.

A common symbol of fidelity, the dog appears in both friendship and love tokens as well as in mourning jewelry, suggesting that a strong devotion established between individuals in life is capable of transcending death and being carried into the afterlife.