Antique Victorian Garnet Seed Pearl Enamel Pendant
How lovely is this enamel and garnet pendant? The powder blue enamel with mellow, yellow gold sculpted surround, the deep red garnet and a sprinkling of luscious seed pearls, in three leaf clover design.
This early Victorian 15 karat gold beauty, originally a pendant with a brooch fitting , dates back to around 1850's England. It was missing its centre, which was likely a locket containing a lock or woven hair. We feel it was a piece of beautiful mourning jewellery.
Mourning jewellery was pre-ordered in Victorian times. Custom dictated that the women of the family of the departed were given mourning rings or brooches at the time of the funeral. Mourning jewellery was big business then, the mourning protocol strict and prescribed. The mourners clothes, the colours and types of fabric they were allowed to wear and the jewellery was strictly controlled by society's standards. The mourning was divided into three distinct periods, first no jewellery allowed, second - black and jet only and the third period where purples and blues, pearls and some diamonds were permitted. The colour blue was symbolic of constancy, loyalty, and devotion, used to remember someone deeply loved or supremely virtuous.
The brooch fitting has now been removed, leaving the piece functioning as a pendant. We had a lovely piece of garnet cut and set into the centre to replace the missing locket. We think the matt, powder blue enamel with glistening pearl surround work beautifully with the deep red of the garnet. The pendant measures 35.3 by 30.1 mm excluding the bale. Its total length with the bale is 37.1 mm and it weighs a solid 11.7 grams. The metal has been tested as the pendant is not hallmarked, to 15 karat gold. It is in lovely antique condition, as is the enamel and pearls.
We love .... this gorgeous antique jewel, previously a tribute, now a riot of colour with re-designed charm. We hope you love her too !!
* Please kindly note that other jewellery in our photos is for your inspiration and not included in this listing *
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