{"product_id":"le-masque-d-or","title":"Le Masque d’Or","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA large 18ct gold face pendant combining polished relief with fine open filigree.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 6 × 2.5cm, \u003cem\u003eLe Masque d’Or\u003c\/em\u003e has the scale of a statement jewel. Heavy-lidded eyes, a long central ridge, radiating wirework and architectural side bars give it a sculptural profile. It weighs \u003cstrong\u003e8.83g\u003c\/strong\u003e and bears a visible \u003cstrong\u003e750 hallmark\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProbable provenance and cultural reference\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe piece was first thought to be Pacific. Comparison with documented jewellery points more convincingly to \u003cstrong\u003eWest African mask jewellery\u003c\/strong\u003e, particularly modern work influenced by Akan-speaking traditions in present-day Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. A closely comparable 18ct filigree mask pendant of similar proportions was catalogued by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.piasa.fr\/fr\/products\/pendentif-masque-africain-en-or-jaune-18k-750-filigrane-dimensions-7-x-25-cm_6683ebd4e6787938872729\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003ePiasa\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistoric Akan gold masks and mask-shaped pendants belonged to a wider visual language of \u003cstrong\u003erank, ancestry and protection\u003c\/strong\u003e. UNESCO records examples associated with rulers and social elites at royal ceremonies, funerary rites and religious events. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/museum.unesco.org\/stolen-objects\/VM-CI-24-004_Maskshaped_pendant\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eView the UNESCO reference\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis pendant is not presented as an antique ceremonial object.\u003c\/strong\u003e No document links it to a named maker, owner, community or event. The responsible attribution is a pre-owned 20th-century or later jewel, probably inspired by Akan, Asante or Baule gold-mask traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFine gold wires form symmetrical fans across the forehead and lower face. Smooth sheet and applied elements shape the brows, projecting eyes, long nose and side bars. The contrast between open wirework and reflective relief requires careful assembly and gives the pendant depth without gemstones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree small scrolls sit within the pointed forehead panel. Their intended meaning is not documented, so they remain decorative motifs rather than an invented translation. Surface marks and small irregularities are visible in the photographs and belong to the pre-owned object.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy it is collectible\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnusual scale, 18ct gold, open filigree and a strong sculptural identity\u003c\/strong\u003e make this a distinctive one-of-one jewel. Its value is not based on gold weight alone; construction, condition, rarity within the shop and cultural design context also matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe asking price is \u003cstrong\u003eAUD 3,450\u003c\/strong\u003e. Jewellery value can move independently of bullion, and future value is not guaranteed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStatus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Available, one piece only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMetal:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18ct yellow gold\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHallmark:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.83g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6 × 2.5cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mask pendant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/strong\u003e Open filigree with polished applied elements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProbable influence:\u003c\/strong\u003e Akan, Asante or Baule gold-mask jewellery; Ghana\/Côte d’Ivoire\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Undetermined; probably 20th century or later\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pre-owned, with surface wear and patina visible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollector note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cultural attribution is comparative, not documentary. The photographs show the exact piece offered.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Les Trésors de Victoire","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52905658024248,"sku":"LTV-MASK-18-001","price":3450.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1008\/1409\/4648\/files\/le-masque-dor-white-catalog-hero-v_5cb701b6-a579-4e98-8e54-f586e6fc6fae.png?v=1788479453","url":"https:\/\/lestresorsdevictoire.com\/products\/le-masque-d-or","provider":"Les Tresors de Victoire","version":"1.0","type":"link"}