Antique Victorian Diamond Set Pendant Brooch, 18ct Gold and Silver

Antique jewellery object group: brooch/pendant

Condition: excellent condition

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.

Style specifics: The Romantic 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 Romantic Victorian Period. This period covers the coronation of Victoria as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, and her marriage to King Albert and their love, their devotion to their marriage and to their country are the sources of inspiration for this period. The jewels of this period are made of intricate carvings, special techniques where the enamel is subtly worked. These techniques allowed to give the jewel a certain opulence with less precious metal needed. As precious metals were really rare at that time. Highly favoured (semi-) precious stones in this period are amethyst, coral, garnets, seed pearls and turquoises. The connotation is obviously sentimental, symbolic and romantic with reminiscent Gotic and/or Renaissance patterns and abundant use of motifs like anchors, birds, branches, crosses, hearts and snakes.

Period: ca. 1850

Material: 18ct red gold and silver

Diamond(s): One old European cut diamond with an estimated weight of 0.70ct. (colour and clarity: J/K, vs/si).
35 old mine brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of 2.09ct.(colour and clarity: G/K, vs/i).
– All diamond weights, colour grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Total diamond weight: approx. 2.79 crt.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.

Hallmarks: No trace.

Dimensions: height 4,90 cm (1,93 inch)

Weight: 11,00 gram (7,07 dwt)