love is in the air

A love poem you can wear: the Augis medaille d’amour

February is synonymous with red roses and boxes of chocolates, we are of course talking about Valentines Day! There are many stories and folk lore surrounding the origins of this love fuelled day, but since the mass production of greetings cards in the 19th century many would say it has become over commercialised; so how about a gift that can be worn close to the heart and last forever? We uncovered this pendant on a recent home visit.

In 1907, Alphonse Augis, a jeweler in Lyons, was inspired to create his signature Médaille d’Amour. A pendant made from gold and often set with precious gems, in this example rubies and diamonds. 

It reads “plus qu’hier, moins que demain.” This French phrase translates to “more than yesterday, less than tomorrow.” and is a reference to the 19th century love poem 'The Eternal Song' that French poet and playwright Rosemonde Gérard wrote to her husband, Edmond Rostand. Augis took a line of the poem to create his range of sentimental medallions, which are highly collectable nearly 120 years later, what a long lasting sentimental love token!

"For, you see, each day I love you more, today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow"