Pendant in the form of a mermaid

Art Historical Context

Behold the enchanting *Pendant in the form of a mermaid*, crafted by Reinhold Vasters around 1870–95. This exquisite piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative collection features a luminous Baroque pearl forming the mermaid's voluptuous body, mounted in enameled gold adorned with sparkling diamonds and dangling pendant pearls. Measuring 4 7/8 inches in height, it exemplifies 19th-century luxury jewelry blending whimsy with opulence. Vasters, a skilled German or French metalworker, drew on Renaissance revival aesthetics popular in the late Victorian era, when collectors prized fantastical motifs like mermaids—symbols of allure and mystery rooted in European folklore. The Baroque pearl, with its irregular, organic shape prized since the 17th century, adds historical depth; such pearls were often repurposed into new designs, highlighting the era's fascination with antiquity. Artistically, the enamel work on gold provides vibrant color and fine detail, while diamond settings catch the light to evoke the creature's shimmering scales. Part of The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection (1982), this pendant invites visitors to ponder the blurred lines between myth and masterful craftsmanship in decorative arts.