1950s French St. Christopher pendant in 18kt yellow gold with octagonal form and haloed figures – Auric Vintage

1950s St.Christopher pendant

€395,00

Latest drop

1950s St.Christopher pendant

€395,00

1950s French St.Christopher pendant in 18kt yellow gold. The octagonal medal presents a confident mid-century interpretation of the travelling saint. Christopher is depicted bare-chested, haloed, and steady in his stride as he carries the Christ Child upon his shoulder, his staff held firmly in hand. The Holy Child, also crowned with a halo, raises one hand in blessing, two fingers extended in a traditional gesture of benediction. The composition is direct and sculptural, the figures rendered in gentle relief against a softly matte background. Suspended from an oval bail, the piece is marked with an eagle's head, the French hallmark for 18kt gold  and bears the signature 'C.P' and maker's mark.

1950s French St. Christopher pendant in 18kt yellow gold with octagonal form and haloed figures – Auric Vintage
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Looking through the LOUPE

MATERIALS

Gold

AGE

c.1950

SIZE

2.4cm L x 1.6cm W

WEIGHT

1.84 g

MARKS

French. Eagle head hallmark. Mark for 18kt gold 750/1000 in use from 1838.
1950s St.Christopher pendant

In a world that moves faster and farther than ever, we are all travelers, whether chasing adventure, education, or a quiet moment away from home. Long ago, when journeys were perilous. loved ones might send a companion in miniature, a talisman, a prayer, a guardian.


Saint Christopher was one of the most cherished. Legend tells of a giant who sought to serve the greatest king in the world. only to discover that Christ was the mightiest of all. The giant dedicated himself to helping others, guiding travelers safely across treacherous rivers.


One evening, a small child asked to be carried. As the giant waded through the raging waters, the child's weight grew heavier and heavier until it felt as if he bore the weight of the entire world. When they reached the far shore, the child revealed himself as Christ and gave the giant a new name: Christopher. Christ-bearer.


Mentions of Saint Christopher date back to the 3rd century AD. His image became a portable prayer, a symbol of protection for all who journeyed into the unknown. Today, whether near or far, a Saint Christopher is a reminder that someone is hoping for your safe return, that you are never truly alone.

SAINT CHRISTOPHER

TAKE ME WITH YOU!

1950 - 1959

Fifties

The war was over, and the 1950s arrived with a sense of reset. Optimism took hold as the Western world began rebuilding, trading austerity for structure, polish, and a renewed appetite for beauty. After years of rationing, glamour returned with intent. Hollywood led the charge, projecting a vision of controlled femininity through figures like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe.

Jewellery followed this direction. It became composed, precise, and unapologetically refined. Platinum and white gold dominated, set with brilliant-cut diamonds and punctuated by saturated, coloured stones. Design leaned into contrast, structure, and light, with higher settings and sculpted forms giving pieces presence without excess.

There was variety beneath the surface. Naturalism, abstraction, and exotic influences coexisted, offering different expressions of the same polished ideal. Tropical flora and fauna emerged as recurring motifs, alongside birds and marine forms, each reimagined by leading jewellery houses such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Harry Winston.

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