Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Brutalist Floral Pendant with White Gold/Silver Accents
Pendant · Yellow Gold (deep warm tone) with possible White Gold or rhodium-plated accents on the textured tips.
Purity: Likely 14K (58.5% gold) based on typical mid-century construction; visible plating wear suggests it could be gold-over-base metal or silver (vermeil).
Type
Pendant
Purity
Likely 14K (58.5% gold) based on typical mid-century construction; visible plating wear suggests it could be gold-over-base metal or silver (vermeil).
Gold Type
Yellow Gold (deep warm tone) with possible White Gold or rhodium-plated accents on the textured tips.
Weight
3.5 to 5.5 grams; item appears solid with significant depth, contributing primarily to its melt and aesthetic value.
Description
A striking Brutalist floral pendant featuring heavy, textured yellow gold metalwork. The design mimics a stylized flower with 'melted' petal edges and a recessed center, accented by contrasting white metal tips. This piece embodies the rebellious mid-century movement away from traditional polished jewelry toward raw, expressive forms.
Key Features
Organic 'lost-wax' casting appearance, bi-color contrast, and a distinct five-petaled abstract floral silhouette.
Color & Finish
Deep yellow gold with a rough, 'nugget' style Brutalist texture. The petal tips show a silvery/grey patina or worn rhodium finish.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No visible stamps in image; marks are likely located on the reverse side or the interior of the jump ring.
Dimensions Estimate
Approximately 18mm to 22mm in diameter; mid-sized statement pendant.
Gemstones & Inlays
None visible; the design relies on abstract metalwork and three-dimensional texture rather than stones.
Clasp & Closure
Fixed circular jump ring for attachment to a chain; jump ring shows significant wear and tone-drift (silver/grey appearance).
Chain & Links
N/A - Pendant only; structural body is cast with organic, irregular voids characteristic of the era.
Craftsmanship Details
Cast using the lost-wax method, featuring intentional porosity and a 'molten' surface finish typical of experimental 1960s workshops.
Authentication Indicators
The irregular casting is consistent with period-correct studio jewelry; however, the grey metal breakthrough on the tips is a red flag for plating over silver rather than solid gold.
Origin & Maker
Unknown maker; style is reminiscent of mid-century studio jewelers or Scandinavian-influenced design popular in the US and Europe.
Era & Period
Modernist/Brutalist Era (circa 1960-1975); defined by abstract, rugged, and organic 'melted' metal aesthetics.
Age Estimate
Circa 1965-1970; manufacturing technique and wear pattern on the jump ring suggest approximately 50+ years of age.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 1960s shift toward 'wearable art,' where jewelry was treated as a sculpture rather than just a display of wealth.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good; significant wear to the gold plating/finish on the high points and jump ring, revealing a greyish base metal or silver underneath.
Value Estimate
Melt value if solid 14K (~$140-$200); if silver-based vermeil, value is primarily decorative ($40-$80).
Care & Maintenance
Avoid machine polishing which could remove the intentional texture; use a soft damp cloth. Keep away from chemicals as the finish is already compromised.
Similar Items
Modernist pendants by designers like Björn Weckström or Arthur King; often confused with 'Nugget' style jewelry from the 1980s.
Interesting Facts
The Brutalist movement in jewelry was inspired by architecture (le béton brut) and sought to emphasize the raw honesty of materials and the hand of the artist.