Artistry of Antiquity: Victorian Pearled Diamond Brooch Pendant

A distinguished combined brooch-pendant, hailing from the Grand Victorian Period around 1870, presents a celebration of Mother Nature's artistry. Belgium's masterful craftsmanship is evident in the 18k red gold and silver design, showcasing 76 twinkling rose cut diamonds and senailles, nestled among 30 delicate half seed pearls. The piece is fashioned into a majestic shell encircled by a wreath and surmounted by a graceful bow, reflecting the era's admiration for opulent and inspired ornamentation. In superb condition, it is a testament to the period’s grandeur and exquisite aesthetics.

Antique jewelry object group: combined brooch-pendant

Condition: excellent condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
  -  See also: Victorian or more info on styles

Style specifics: The Grand Victorian Period - Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837 - 1901) into three periods of about twenty years each; The Romantic Victorian Period (1837 - 1860), The Grand Victorian Period (1860 - 1880), and the Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period (1880 - 1901).

We consider this to be of the Grand Victorian Period.

This second Victorian period is famous for its ostentatious pieces set with pearls and diamonds (from South Africa). From ca. 1850 wealthy English had reported about jewelry from India and Japan, which heavily inspired the jewelers of this period. This period also corresponds with the death of Queen Victoria's husband King Albert making mourning jewelry (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewelry specific for this period.

Period: ca. 1870
  -  (events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)

Source of inspiration: Mother Nature

Theme: a shell surrounded by a wreath and crowned with a bow

Material: 18k red gold and silver, see also: The silver on gold technique
  -  (more info on precious metals)

Technique: The rose cuts are set on foil. This is a special technique that was used to bring the lustre of the diamonds to its best quality.

Diamond(s): 76 rose cut diamonds and senailles . A senaille is a simplified rose cut diamond, a small diamond chip with perhaps a few polished facets. We do not have the weight of the rose cuts diamonds nor the senailles which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cut diamonds and senailles.

Precious stones: 30 half seed pearls

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and pearl for June.
  -  (more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: No trace.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: height 6,16 cm (2,43 inch)

Weight: 22,80 gram (14,66 dwt)

Reference Nº: 17093-0243

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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