Antique jewellery object group: hair piece

Condition: excellent condition

Country of origin: France

Style: Late-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: Late Victorian / early Art Nouveau – The subject of this piece, although typical 19th Century, announces the coming of the Art Nouveau style.

Period: ca. 1890

Material: 18ct yellow gold

Extra information: Horn – The fibrous, pointed growth on the heads of some animals which, being tough, light, and easily worked, has for centuries been used in various forms for ornamental wear and utilitarian purposes. The horn principally used was ox-horn, ranging from white to dark brown, which has been made onto buckles, brooches, etc.

In China, articles have been made of Rhinoceros horn. The use of horn was revived by René Lalique (who employed it for making decorative combs, hair ornaments, and elaborate tiaras) and by Lucien Gaillard.

From: An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, author: Harold Newman, publishers: Thames and Hudson

Diamond(s): Ten 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.

Hallmarks: Although it carries a typical French control mark representing an owl, we cannot be sure it is actually French as the owl was also used for items in a finished condition that were brought to be examined by the French Assay office (the eagle’s head was used for items brought in unfinished).

Dimensions: height 12,90 cm (5,08 inch)

Weight: 14,20 gram (9,13 dwt)