Mastery of Design: A Pelican in her Piety, 1600

A Pelican in Her Piety
German, 1600
The Victoria & Albert Museum

We’ve seen several examples of jewelry depicting “A Pelican in her Piety,” wherein a pelican is shown as the ultimate mother by tearing her own breast to feed her children. 

This piece dates to 1600 and was made in Germany of enameled gold pendant, set with table-cut diamonds and rubies and hung with pearls, mounted over a scrolling openwork plate.