Antique Walnut Pendant with Miniature Garden of Eden Interior

I love finding weird on wonderous things, and I therefore could not resist this interesting little walnut with its amazing contents. 

I suspect it was a piece of ‘folk art’, created by an amateur artist, who just enjoyed creating a miniature work of art, although the silver trimmings in which this walnut is set do point to a certain level of skill. 

When the walnut is closed, only the little coral bead – meant to represent an apple – gives a hint to its contents. When opened, we can see a miniature Garden of Eden, with Eve appearing to step out of the frame on the left, into the right frame, which displays the forbidden Tree of Knowledge.

The little coral apple that dangles at the bottom of the walnut points to how this story will end, with Eve not being able to resist biting into the apple, thereby causing Adam and her banishment from paradise. 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

Size: The walnut measures 43 x 35 x 30 mm, excluding the drop and bale. 

Weight: 18.50 grams.

Age: 19th Century. 

Material: The trimmings have been acid-tested as being silver. 

Condition: In good antique condition with only minor wear, consistent with its age.