Egyptian-Style Black Onyx and Silver Cartouche Pendant

This item is a rectangular cartouche pendant featuring three distinct Egyptian-style hieroglyphic icons—a scarab, an eye, and a profile—set against a polished black onyx tablet. The pendant is constructed with a vertical slab of deep black onyx, likely measuring approximately 1.5 to 2 inches in length. It is capped with a polished silver bale that facilitates the passage of a curb-link style silver chain. The silver elements appear to be sterling grade, showing a soft luster consistent with mid-to-late 20th-century craftsmanship. The hieroglyphs are independently mounted or inlaid onto the stone face with precise relief. This style gained significant popularity in the late 1970s and 1980s as souvenir and fashion jewelry. Condition-wise, the piece appears well-maintained with visible surface patina and minor scuffing on the silver bale, typical of authenticated vintage use. No major chips or cracks are noted on the onyx surface. The overall quality suggests a mass-marketed but durable artisan souvenir piece, likely originating from a jeweler specializing in Egyptian revival motifs.

Based on my visual examination of the provided images, this item is a vintage Egyptian revival style cartouche pendant, featuring a black onyx tablet inlaid with silver hieroglyphic motifs (a scarab, the Eye of Horus, and a pharaonic profile). The construction appears to be sterling silver, indicated by the luster and oxidation patterns typical of mid-to-late 20th-century silver, specifically circa 1970s-1990s. The piece likely originated as a high-quality tourist souvenir or export item from Egypt or a Western jeweler capitalizing on the Tutankhamun exhibition craze of the late 70s. The condition appears very good for its age. The onyx shows no visible fractures or significant abrasion, maintaining a high polish. The silver mounting and bale exhibit a soft patina consistent with normal wear. While the craftsmanship is competent, involving precise mounting of the relief figures, it is indicative of mass-market or batch production rather than unique high-artisan work. The market for Egyptian revival jewelry remains steady but niche; these specific onyx cartouches are relatively common in the secondary vintage market. Critically, a definitive value cannot be assigned without physical inspection. I would need to test the metal purity to confirm it is .925 sterling silver rather than silver-plated base metal, and verify the stone is genuine onyx rather than dyed chalcedony or glass. Assuming the materials are genuine sterling and onyx as they appear, the value is primarily decorative. This appraisal reflects the fair market value for a vintage silver fashion piece.