Art Nouveau Lion & Snake Locket

An incredibly high quality and well preserved Art Nouveau locket on its original brooch hanger. The locket depicts a lion fighting and serpent or snake-- a popular 19th century symbol and one often used in Art Nouveau jewelry. The image is rendered in remarkably fine detail with intricate engraving, a ruby eye for the snake, and diamond for the lion's eye. The brooch top resembles drapery, but with close inspection, another snake is revealed. The top allows the locket to hang like a medal on a jacket, but it could easily be separated to place the locket on a necklace chain. In 14K gold. Likely American, but without any marks.