Pendants are among the oldest recorded types of bodily adornment. Stone, shell, pottery, and more perishable materials were used. Ancient Egyptians commonly wore pendants, some shaped like hieroglyphs. Reference: Wikipedia
Below are some examples of pendants with an astrological theme including a Van Cleef & Arpels pendant and a Celtic astrological pendant.
An eighteen karat gold astrological pendant, Van Cleef & Arpels, French depicting “cancer”; signed VCA, no. 71/115405; with French assay mark; weighing approximately: 60.7 grams; length: 3 3/8in.
Sold for US$ 4,750 (£ 3,644) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2012
Pendant medallion; brass; round; magical; on the obverse: ram with the zodiacal symbol of Aries in the centre, surrounded by an inscription. On the reverse: four lines of inscriptions in the centre surrounded by other inscription
Reference: © The Trustees of the British Museum
AN ASTROLOGICAL PENDANT NECKLACE, BY BULGARI The circular pendant with central lion motif for Leo, the border inscribed BULGARI BULGARI, to a fancy link neckchain, pendant 3.8cm, neckchain 39.0cm Neck chain signed Bulgari
Sold for GBP 1,125 at Christie’s in 2016
Chanel Astrological Pin/Pendant 1986 Gold plated metal molded with the sign for Sagittarius, oval plaque stamped: (use copyright symbol) Chanel (use registration symbol) double C logo 1986 1106.
Sold for $500 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2009
BRONZE AGE SUN AMULET
Ca.600 BC. An open-work Celtic Astrological Pendant; Sun Symbol; suspension loop; Good Condition, wearable; 60x50mm2.36X1.97IN/ 8g; Provenance: Property of a London gallery, previously in old British collection formed in the 1980s
Sold for $160 at Pax Romana Auctions in 2019
Pendant with Lion and Scorpion 10th century
This circular metal pendant is believed to be a talisman, an object that provides protection for the wearer. The pseudo-writing on this pendant, though illegible, resembles the Arabic phrase that translates to, “There is no god but God.” It is thought it had talismanic power because belief in this concept is one of the basic tenets of Islam. It has been suggested that the lion and scorpion represent the Zodiac symbols of Leo and Scorpio, which were thought to give their owners protection. But why these two signs in particular are found on so many objects is still unclear. The inclusion of esoteric symbols and images is what sets this pendant apart from later Islamic talismans, when signs with more specifically Islamic connotations, especially legible quotations from the Qur’an or magic squares with letters representing the names of God, became more common.
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
