The art of Antiquity: Victorian-style diamond and pearl pendant brooch
An elegant brooch-pendant, dating from the Grand Victorian Era around 1870, celebrates the art of nature. Belgian craftsmanship is highlighted in this model in 18-carat red gold and silver, adorned with 76 sparkling rose-cut diamonds and senailles, nestled among 30 delicate half-pearls. The piece is shaped into a majestic seashell, surrounded by a crown and topped with an elegant bow, reflecting the era's admiration for opulent and inspired ornaments. In superb condition, it testifies to the grandeur and refined aesthetics of this era.
Group of antique jewelry objects:
combined brooch-pendant
Condition:
excellent condition
- (more info on our condition scale)
Country of origin:
Although it bears no readable control mark, we believe it to be of Belgian origin.
Style:
Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refer to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. This era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historical styles, as well as for the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the Middle East and Asia into furniture, accessories, and interior decoration. Victorian design is widely regarded as having shown a regrettable excess of ornamentation. The Arts and Crafts movement, the Aesthetic movement, the Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau all have their origins at the end of the Victorian era.
- See also: Victorian or more information 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 the Grand Victorian period.
This second Victorian period is famous for its sumptuous pieces set with pearls and diamonds (from South Africa). From around 1850, wealthy English people brought back jewelry from India and Japan, which greatly inspired the jewelers of that time. This period also corresponds to the death of Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, which made mourning jewelry (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewelry specific to this era.
Period:
circa 1870
- (events and facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)
Source of inspiration:
Mother Nature
Theme:
a seashell surrounded by a crown and topped with a bow
Material:
18-carat red gold and silver, see also: The silver technique on gold
- (more info on precious metals)
Technique:
The rose-cut diamonds are set on foil. This special technique was used to enhance the brilliance of the diamonds.
Diamond(s):
76 rose-cut diamonds and senailles. A senaille is a simplified rose-cut diamond, a small diamond chip sometimes with a few polished facets. We do not know the weight of the rose-cut diamonds nor that of the senailles, unlike what is usual in our profession.
Precious stones:
30 half-beads of seed beads
Birthstones:
Diamond is the birthstone (or monthly stone) for April and pearl for June.
- (more info about birthstones)
Hallmarks:
No trace.
- (more info about hallmarks)
Dimensions:
height 6.16 cm (2.43 inches)
Weight:
22.80 grams (14.66 dwt)
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The art of Antiquity: Victorian-style diamond and pearl pendant brooch
An elegant brooch-pendant, dating from the Grand Victorian Era around 1870, celebrates the art of nature. Belgian craftsmanship is highlighted in this model in 18-carat red gold and silver, adorned with 76 sparkling rose-cut diamonds and senailles, nestled among 30 delicate half-pearls. The piece is shaped into a majestic seashell, surrounded by a crown and topped with an elegant bow, reflecting the era's admiration for opulent and inspired ornaments. In superb condition, it testifies to the grandeur and refined aesthetics of this era.
Group of antique jewelry objects:
combined brooch-pendant
Condition:
excellent condition
- (more info on our condition scale)
Country of origin:
Although it bears no readable control mark, we believe it to be of Belgian origin.
Style:
Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refer to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. This era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historical styles, as well as for the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the Middle East and Asia into furniture, accessories, and interior decoration. Victorian design is widely regarded as having shown a regrettable excess of ornamentation. The Arts and Crafts movement, the Aesthetic movement, the Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau all have their origins at the end of the Victorian era.
- See also: Victorian or more information 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 the Grand Victorian period.
This second Victorian period is famous for its sumptuous pieces set with pearls and diamonds (from South Africa). From around 1850, wealthy English people brought back jewelry from India and Japan, which greatly inspired the jewelers of that time. This period also corresponds to the death of Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, which made mourning jewelry (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewelry specific to this era.
Period:
circa 1870
- (events and facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)
Source of inspiration:
Mother Nature
Theme:
a seashell surrounded by a crown and topped with a bow
Material:
18-carat red gold and silver, see also: The silver technique on gold
- (more info on precious metals)
Technique:
The rose-cut diamonds are set on foil. This special technique was used to enhance the brilliance of the diamonds.
Diamond(s):
76 rose-cut diamonds and senailles. A senaille is a simplified rose-cut diamond, a small diamond chip sometimes with a few polished facets. We do not know the weight of the rose-cut diamonds nor that of the senailles, unlike what is usual in our profession.
Precious stones:
30 half-beads of seed beads
Birthstones:
Diamond is the birthstone (or monthly stone) for April and pearl for June.
- (more info about birthstones)
Hallmarks:
No trace.
- (more info about hallmarks)
Dimensions:
height 6.16 cm (2.43 inches)
Weight:
22.80 grams (14.66 dwt)
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
An elegant brooch-pendant, dating from the Grand Victorian Era around 1870, celebrates the art of nature. Belgian craftsmanship is highlighted in this model in 18-carat red gold and silver, adorned with 76 sparkling rose-cut diamonds and senailles, nestled among 30 delicate half-pearls. The piece is shaped into a majestic seashell, surrounded by a crown and topped with an elegant bow, reflecting the era's admiration for opulent and inspired ornaments. In superb condition, it testifies to the grandeur and refined aesthetics of this era.
Group of antique jewelry objects:
combined brooch-pendant
Condition:
excellent condition
- (more info on our condition scale)
Country of origin:
Although it bears no readable control mark, we believe it to be of Belgian origin.
Style:
Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refer to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. This era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historical styles, as well as for the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the Middle East and Asia into furniture, accessories, and interior decoration. Victorian design is widely regarded as having shown a regrettable excess of ornamentation. The Arts and Crafts movement, the Aesthetic movement, the Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau all have their origins at the end of the Victorian era.
- See also: Victorian or more information 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 the Grand Victorian period.
This second Victorian period is famous for its sumptuous pieces set with pearls and diamonds (from South Africa). From around 1850, wealthy English people brought back jewelry from India and Japan, which greatly inspired the jewelers of that time. This period also corresponds to the death of Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, which made mourning jewelry (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewelry specific to this era.
Period:
circa 1870
- (events and facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era)
Source of inspiration:
Mother Nature
Theme:
a seashell surrounded by a crown and topped with a bow
Material:
18-carat red gold and silver, see also: The silver technique on gold
- (more info on precious metals)
Technique:
The rose-cut diamonds are set on foil. This special technique was used to enhance the brilliance of the diamonds.
Diamond(s):
76 rose-cut diamonds and senailles. A senaille is a simplified rose-cut diamond, a small diamond chip sometimes with a few polished facets. We do not know the weight of the rose-cut diamonds nor that of the senailles, unlike what is usual in our profession.
Precious stones:
30 half-beads of seed beads
Birthstones:
Diamond is the birthstone (or monthly stone) for April and pearl for June.
- (more info about birthstones)
Hallmarks:
No trace.
- (more info about hallmarks)
Dimensions:
height 6.16 cm (2.43 inches)
Weight:
22.80 grams (14.66 dwt)
