We have never seen a locket so early and so well-preserved. The present example retains its original wax bust, of which very few have survived.The locket represents the best of German enameling of the period. Recent work by Hans Boeckh has established the existence of an independent school of enameling based in Augsburg.For another Augsburg enamel see Antiquorum, November 1997, lot No. 35, now in the Patek Philippe Museum or Antiquorum, Nov. 16, 2002, lot 20. Bibliography : Hans Boeckh, "Les Arts Du Feu a Augsbourg Et à Geneve 1680-1710", in Genava, t. XLIV, 1996, pp. 91-92.Les "Femmes fortes"The figures which decorate the present enamel were taken from four engravings after Claude Vignon. They represent women legendary for their courage, des "femmes fortes" or "strong women". On the front, the Hellespontic Sibyl and Semiramis, Queen of Assyria; on the back, Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, and Clelia, a young Roman girl who distinguished herself by her bravery.The theme of "Les Femmes fortes", popular toward the middle of the 17th century, was admirably suited to extolling the virtues of Marie de Medici and Anne d'Autriche, both strong-minded women who had served as Regents until their sons (Louis XIII and Louis XIV, respectively) reached adulthood, thus insuring the continuation of the monarchy.At one time Marie de Medici planned to commission a series of "femmes fortes" for the Palais du Luxembourg. Nicolas Prévost decorated the château de Richelieu with one such series, as a sort of counterpoint to the "hommes illustres" ("illustrious men") which Simon Vouet and Philippe de Champaigne had painted in the Palais Cardinal. Around 1645-46, Vouet executed several "femmes fortes" in the apartments of Anne d'Autriche at the Palais Cardinal, perhaps in reminiscence of the series of "hommes ilustres" that Champaigne had done for Richelieu in the Palais Royal.Strong women appeared in literature, too. In 1647 Jesuit Father Pierre Le Moyne, a poet much in vogue at court, published a "Gallery of Strong Women", a collection of 20 portraits in prose and verse, celebrating courageous women, both historical and legendary. The author dedicated it to Queen Anne d'Autriche, whom he described as a "femme forte par excellence". This "Gallery" was illustrated with engravings by Gilles Rousselet and etchings by Abraham Bosse, after the work of painter Claude Vigno-the same artists whose work inspired the iconography of the present locket.Documentation Cabinet Turquin.