Augis Medal "Qu'hier" Pendant 18kt French set with Diamonds and Rubies

In the  late 1800s a French poet (Rosemonde Gerard) wrote the Eternal Song,  the third stanza of which goes..

"And as every day I love you more,

Today more than yesterday and much less than tomorrow,

What will facial wrinkles matter then?

My love will be more thoughtful—and serene.

Considering that everyday memories are piling up,

These memories of mine will be yours too.

Those common memories entwine us all the more"

The poem was exceedingly romantic and popular. A talented jeweler in Lyon created a

Médaille d’Amour what represents the sentiment of the poem. Since his name was Alphonse Augis we often refer to them as "Augis Medals"

It is a delightful rebus in which the diamond plus =more and the ruby minus=less added together with qu'hier and que demain, the rebus says  "Plus qu'hier, moins que demain" or

I love you more today than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow 

Medals originating from this era should have A Augis signed inside the pattern on the front of the charm and be 18kt. For those of us who actively collect antique jewelry these wonderful objects of affection are bucket list items. I can tell you the exact day I added one to my personal collection. Copies have been made over the years, never quite holding the same charm or look but can be great placeholders until you find a real one.