Very rare size Victorian Belgian Flemish cross with rose cut diamonds

Over the years we have seen many of this type of crosses but never in such cute size. It's like a miniature piece of jewelry but made in the most skillful way. We've seen big crosses that couldn't even match the quality of this little one. A true collectors item.

Pendant cross type "Flemish" or "Antwerp" in silver on top and backed with 18K red gold, set with 16 rose cut diamonds in close setting. The rose cuts are set on foil, this is a special technique that was used to bring the luster of the diamonds to its best quality.

This jewel is a fine example of the skill and craftsmanship of jewelers in Antwerp in the 18th and 19th century. The city is well known for centuries for its wealth which resulted in sumptuous jewels set with diamonds. The influence of religion was very present in those days, the refinement, the materials and the stones reinforced this sign of devotion. This type of cross was worn a long silver chain and was a very expensive gift worn by pretty women in the north of Belgium in the first half of the 19th century.

Most of these crosses are now owned by the church or in private collections.

Antique jewelry object group: pendant

Country of origin: Belgium, Antwerp

Style: Victorian - In 1837 Queen Victoria begins the longest reign in the history of Great Britain. For 64 years, from 1837 till 1901, she symbolizes the growth and triumph of the British Empire as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India. Proud, passionate about beautiful things, highly educated about all styles of time, she influences the lifestyles through her taste and immense love of jewelry.

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. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era. (Last part freely rendered from: Wikipedia)
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. 1831-1850
(events and facts in 1850)

Source of inspiration: Christianity

Theme: Cross - The cross is one of the most ancient human symbols, and is used by many religions, such as Christianity. It is frequently a representation of the division of the world into four elements (or cardinal points), or alternately as the union of the concepts of divinity, the vertical line, and the world, the horizontal line. (from: Wikipedia)

Material: Silver on top and backed with 18K red gold (see explanation on silver on gold).
(more info on precious metals)

Technique: Gold-backed silver or the silver on gold technique. This technique finds its origin centuries ago, when jewelers believed that only a silver mounting could render the true beauty of a diamond. Backing the silver jewel with a (thin) layer of gold was a practical precaution taken to avoid the silver jewelry leaving black stains on clothing or skin. Over the years, with the recognition (and thus use) of platinum as precious metal and the development of white gold the practical necessity to use bi-colored material became obsolete. The argument to use bi-colored metals became more an estetic then a practical one.

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.

Diamonds: 16 rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.

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

Hallmarks: The control mark here represents the letter 'E' and was used from about 1831 for imported jewelry in Belgium (for 18K gold).
(more info on hallmarks)

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

Dimensions: height only 3.48 cm (1.37 inch)

Weight: 3.50 gram (2.25 dwt)

Reference Nº: 10343-0049

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

See also our:
pendants, christian jewelry, crosses, silver on gold jewelry, jewelry with rose cut diamonds, latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

Jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for:
January - February - March - April - May - June - July
August - September - October - November or December.


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