Parrot pendant

In the second half of the 16th century, the European elite adorned themselves with pendants made up of several chains from which mythological figures, fantastical beings and animals hung. These ornaments swayed or jumped when their wearers moved, so in Spain these chain pendants were called brincos (‘jumpers’). This pendant falls under this international trend, but its typology has traditionally been attributed to the Hispanic goldsmiths, who created animal pendants supported by a base or cushion. Its design follows a naturalistic approach: the parrot is surrounded by a garland of fruit and it is covered with green and blue translucent enamel that imitate the typical colouring of its feathers. The pendants made by Mannerist jewellers often feature large gems, usually baroque pearls, shaping one section of their small figures. In this piece, a large emerald has been carved into a cabochon and used as a sculptural tool, creating the curved profile of the bird’s chest and stomach. The features described suggest it was made in colonial America.