Early Victorian rose cut diamonds cross

Some pieces we acquire are really hard to date exactly, and this is such a piece. As still today, a certain style and manner to make a piece of jewelry was in fashion during a certain period of time and over several countries the same time, and not necessairely in one country only.

The way this cross was made and the rose cut diamonds used in it, tells us that it must have been made in the western part of Europe in the first half of the nineteenth century. That it is made from 18K gold excludes (with some certainty) countries like Holland and Germany but could indicate that it was made either in Belgium or France. A French dealer would call this a Normandic cross, while a Belgian dealer would call this a Flemish cross.

The cross is made from two parts, the top part with four big dome shaped elements set with a little rose cut diamond, and a pendent dome-pear shaped element also set with a little rose cut diamond. At the top part around the dome shapes, placed in an X, 4 little flower shaped elements are set with slivers of diamonds. The whole pendant is also decorated with gold wire accents (also called filigree) giving the pendant a bit a lace-like look.

OBJECT GROUP : pendants
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN : Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe it is of French or Belgian origin.
STYLE : Pre or early Victorian
PERIOD : 1830
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION : Christianity
THEME : Latin cross - There exist several types of crosses, and the one this pendant represents is a Latin cross on which, according to Augustinus, Christ was crucified.
MATERIAL : 18K yellow gold
TECHNIQUE : Filigree. This is in fact thin gold wire twisted into refined motifs. This technique demands very high skills and precision from the maker.
DIAMONDS : Nine rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.
WEIGHT : 4.40 gram (2.83 dwt)
HALLMARKS : No trace
CONDITION : Excellent condition
MEASUREMENTS : Height 4.80 cm (1.89 inch); width 3.30 cm (1.30 inch)


WHEN REFERRING TO THIS PIECE : Mention the following number: 04051-1806 or click here.


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