Vintage Augis “+ qu’hier – que demain” Love Pendant in 18k Yellow Gold, 18mm

• Material: 18k Yellow Gold, 3,86g (eagle assay mark for French made 18k gold)
• Gemstones: Two baguette-cut synthetic rubies, one small diamond
• Design Feature: Rare floral border
• Diametre: 18mm

A beautiful example of French sentimental jewellery, this vintage pendant in 18k yellow gold features the timeless inscription “+ qu’hier – que demain” (“more than yesterday, less than tomorrow”). The phrase originates from a 1907 poem by Rosemonde Gérard, often interpreted as a declaration of ever-growing love, and has since become one of the most iconic romantic motifs in French jewellery.

This piece is the original Augis version, created by the Lyonnais jeweler Alphonse Augis, who first translated Gérard’s words into gold and gemstone form in the early 20th century. The design’s success was immediate and enduring, inspiring countless imitations over the decades, yet none with the same finesse of proportion and symbolism as Augis’ own creations.

Distinguished by its intricate flower-and-leaf border, this pendant represents one of the rarer and more sought-after variations within the Augis collection. The border frames the central inscription with sculptural elegance, while two calibrated synthetic rubies and a small diamond, set within a cross, add vivid contrast and symbolic depth.

Dating approximately from the 1930s to 1950s, this pendant reflects the romantic spirit and artisanal mastery that define Augis’ work. It is both a jewel and a message, a poetic emblem of enduring love, and an authentic piece of French jewellery history.