Lot 915
AN 18TH CENTURY FRENCH BLUE ENAMEL AND GOLD PENDANT
the royal blue guilloche enamel is mounted with gold decoration, the date 1789 and inscribed Redeunt Saturnia Regna (the kingdom of Saturn returns), inscribed to the reverse Rejouissons nous Le Roi nous est renou (We are pleased the King is returned).
5.5cm. dia. With a 9ct. gold neckchain, 148cm. long.
Provenance: With accompanying correspondence suggesting that this was a token made at the time of Louis XVI's return to Paris from Versailles in 1789.
With a receipt from Antiques Corner Ltd., 104 Mount Street, London W.1. dated 20th December 1963 for the sum of £110.00.
In May 1789 the political and financial situation in France had grown rather bleak, forcing Louis XVI to summon the Estates General. This assembly was composed of three estates, the clergy, nobility and commoners, who had the power to decide on the levying of new taxes and to undertake reforms in the country, The opening of the Estates General on 5th May 1789 in Versailles, also marked the start of the
French Revolution.
