Mastery of Design: Queen Alexandra’s Iris Pendant, 1900

Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Courtesy of Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II

A work of gold, pliqué-a-jour enamel, and rose-cut diamonds, this pendant of Art Nouveau style is decorated with irises. Thought a maker’s mark is not evident, it is clearly the work of Fabergé’s workshop.


The piece is larger than most of Fabergé’s similar pendants, indicating that it was, most likely, a custom order for an unknown individual. No one is quite sure from whom or when Queen Alexandra received this piece, but the style indicates that it was made circa 1900.