Romantic Reverie: Victorian Diamond Brooch-Pendant with Pearl Accent

A Victorian combined brooch-pendant from the Romantic Period, circa 1850, exudes sentimental charm with its 181 diamonds set in silver and backed by 14K yellow gold. The piece, very good in condition, features one prominent old brilliant cut diamond of around 1.00 carat, surrounded by 15 old mine cuts and numerous rose cuts totalling approximately 2.50 carats. The brooch-pendant, not ostentatious yet deeply symbolic, carries a single natural pearl, underscoring the Victorian affinity for nature and nuanced craftsmanship that required less precious metal yet achieved a look of quiet opulence.

Antique jewelry object group
combined brooch-pendant

Condition
very good condition
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
unknown

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.
See also: Victorian
more info on styles

Style specifics
The Romantic Victorian Period - Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837 - 1901) in to 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 favored (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 an abundant use of motifs like anchors, birds, branches, crosses, hearts and snakes.

Period
ca. 1850
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Source of inspiration
Mother Nature

Material
Silver on top and backed with 14K yellow gold (see explanation on silver on gold). (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Diamonds
One old brilliant cut diamond with an estimated weight of ± 1.00ct
15 old mine brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 1.50ct
165 rose cut diamonds and senailles . A senaille is a simplified rose cut diamond, a small diamond chip with perhaps a few polished facets. We do not have the weight of the rose cuts diamonds nor the senailles which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cut diamonds and senailles.


Total diamond count
181 pcs.

Total diamond weight without rose cuts
approx. 2.50 crt with an average colour and clarity F/J, vs/si

All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.
All diamonds we offer are screened by the I.J.G.C. for whether they are natural or synthetic, and all diamonds in this jewel are 100% guaranteed to be natural.

Precious stones
One natural pearl

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

Hallmarks
No trace.
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
8,60 cm (3,39 inch) x 7,10 cm (2,80 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
27,90 gram (17,94 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
22154-0348

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

Additional information
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