Cara Cavalo Open Pendant in 18K Gold

An open horse-head pendant in 18K gold at substantial scale — the cara cavalo, in negative space.

Where a full-body horse pendant captures the animal in motion, a horse head — _cara cavalo_ — focuses attention on the most expressive feature of the animal. The eyes, the nostrils, the angle of the muzzle — these carry the personality the body alone cannot.

This pendant uses an open, partially openwork 18K yellow gold construction to render the horse head at 4.5 grams. The cutout sections allow the form to read as drawn rather than as solid mass; the polished finish keeps each contour sharp.

At this weight and dimension, the pendant has the substance of a sculpture worn on the chain. A piece for those for whom the horse carries personal meaning.

Ricca Jewelry. 18K gold. The horse head, in openwork.