Dating from circa 1898, this rose branch plaque "collier de chien" necklace by René Lalique is composed of 18K gold, basse taille enamel, and seed pearls. The necklace centers a rectangular, slightly convex, pierced 18K gold plaque depicting a flowering and budding branch of roses sculpted in high relief,elaborately carved and chased front and reverse, with basse taille enamel leaves, completed by a multi-strand necklace of pearls. Extolled as a model of "jewel statuary" by an influential critic in Art et Décoration in 1899, this beautiful rose necklace is a forerunner of Lalique's revolutionary work that was to astonish the art world at the Paris Exposition of 1900.