Folk Art Sterling Silver Unicorn Pendant

Well, there is little known about this student or studio made unicorn pendant.  It features an illegible cursive signature on its backside and appears to made of Sterling silver.  I am eventually going to test its silver content, but I have been afraid to ruin it.  It is very large and heavy, and a bit primitive, which adds to its whimsical charm.  I believe this piece is from the early eighties, when the unicorn motif was hugely popular (remember friendship pins, Jordache jeans, rollerskating, and Pacman?).  It could also be a more modern piece simply made by a dreamer.  If anyone recognizes this pendant, I would love to know more about it.    


The website www.magicstables.com mentions the following about the unicorn myth: "The unicorn is a legendary animal commonly portrayed as a white horse with a goat's beard and a large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead.  First mentioned by the ancient Greeks, it became the most important imaginary animal of the middle ages and Renaissance when it was commonly described as an extremely wild woodland creature, a symbol of purity and grace, which could only be captured by a virgin.  In the encyclopedias its horn was said to have the power to render poisoned water potable and to heal sickness. Until the 19th century, belief in unicorns was widespread among historians, alchemists, writers, poets, naturalists, physicians, and theologians."


Feel free to contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.  Questions, comments, and additional information are always appreciated.  My online shop on www.rubylane.com is coming soon.

Thank you to the following website(s) for the historical content of this blog post:


Magic Stables. Retrieved 4/25/2011 from http://www.magicstables.com/TheUnicornMyth.html