{"product_id":"rare-french-canetille-brooch-circa-1830-a-monument-to-early-19th-century-grace","title":"Rare French 18 Carat Gold Cannetille Brooch with Chalcedony Portrait, Circa 1830","description":"\u003c!-- welcometext --\u003e\u003c!--- Rare French Canetille Brooch, Circa 1830 – A Monument to Early 19th-Century Grace   --\u003e\u003c!---  --\u003e\u003c!--- BEGIN EMOTXT DO NOT REMOVE THIS LINE --\u003e\u003c!-- skeletonfile created by ITILIUM-Edit - 2.5.51.18023 --\u003e\u003c!-- on vr 09-feb-2018 - 17:49 --\u003e\u003c!-- by elkan --\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003eAn unusually large French brooch dating to circa 1830, showcasing a finely carved male portrait in brown chalcedony, mounted atop a subtly faceted pale agate or quartz base. The jewel’s generous proportions, combined with intricate cannetille goldwork and vibrant blue enamel, create a striking neoclassical presence. Likely once the centrepiece of a grander jewel, it was later adapted into a brooch with remarkable finesse. A rare survivor of refined early 19th-century taste — imposing yet intimate, and quietly evocative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!--- END EMOTXT DO NOT REMOVE THIS LINE --\u003e\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eVery good condition\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCountry of origin\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAlthough it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of French origin.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eStyle specifics\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThis jewel reflects the neoclassical aesthetic so popular during the post-Napoleonic era, combining refined goldwork in cannetille technique with a classically inspired profile portrait. Though now functioning as a brooch, the slight curvature andconstruction details suggest it originally served as the central element of a bracelet or necklace. Its composition and technique would not be out of place in a 19th-century collection. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePeriod\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eCirca 1830\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e18 carat yellow gold (touchstone tested)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical adaptation\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAlthough now functioning as a brooch, the jewel's slight curvature and construction strongly suggest it originally formed the central element of a modular bracelet or necklace — possibly a collier de chien or collier à plaque, popular around 1830. The brooch fitting is not original, but was expertly added using existing structural components: two hollow, tube-shaped elements at the back, likely part of the original framework. These tubes were carefully opened along their length to insert the hinge on one side and the catch on the other, before being neatly closed again. The absence of stress marks or distortion indicates that this conversion was executed with considerable skill, most likely already in the 19th or early 20th century. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c!-- Diamonds --\u003e \u003cb\u003ePrecious stones\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThis jewel does not contain traditionally defined faceted gemstones. However, it features a finely carved male portrait in translucent brown chalcedony, most likely sarder, with scattered dark inclusions. The portrait is mounted onto a subtly faceted, lightly translucent backing stone of pale beige-grey tone — likely a variety of colourless agate or quartz — suggesting it was affixed rather than carved from a single block. The realism of the carving and the elegant mounting reflect the refined neoclassical taste of the early 19th century. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eHallmarks\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003eNo trace\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c!-- condition-weight-dimensions --\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e9.00 cm (3.54 inch) x 6.86 cm (2.70 inch)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e26.90 grams (17.30 dwt)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adin Fine Antique Jewellery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57617029464451,"sku":"JDAD-25104-0158","price":7592.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0937\/8355\/6483\/files\/25104-0158.p00_Rare_20French_20Canetille_20Brooch_20_20Circa_201830_20_20_20A_20Monument_20to_20Early_2019th-Century_20Grace-en.jpg?v=1773763630","url":"https:\/\/jewellerydiscovery.co.uk\/products\/rare-french-canetille-brooch-circa-1830-a-monument-to-early-19th-century-grace","provider":"Jewellery Discovery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}