A beautiful and unusual pendant from the Georgian period, the late 18th Century. The pendant is made from silver and appears to have started life as a brooch, though has been skilfully converted into a pendant. The front of the dove is set with individually hand-cut gemstones. The stones are smokey quartz and citrine (both members of the quartz family). They are beautiful flat cuts with each one cut to fit by hand giving them unusual shapes and settings. This is what gives this gorgeous pendant its charm.
Perhaps the brooch was intended to be worn as a dove of peace with the head facing down, though with the bail on the wing, it looks as though the bird is taking flight and it has a lovely free feel about it. Such a lovely example and a combination of gemstones I have not seen in Georgian jewellery before.
The chain pictured is for display only.
Details:
Materials - Silver (tested), Quartz, Citrine
Age - Late 18th Century
Size - The bird measures approx 22mm wide by 26.5mm high (wingspan). These measurements do not include the bail.
Condition - Good. Evidence of lead in the centre back, perhaps from a historical repair? Not detrimental overall. All stones look to be original and in good condition, bar one citrine, which is likely a replacement.
Weight - 3.98g
A beautiful and unusual pendant from the Georgian period, the late 18th Century. The pendant is made from silver and appears to have started life as a brooch, though has been skilfully converted into a pendant. The front of the dove is set with individually hand-cut gemstones. The stones are smokey quartz and citrine (both members of the quartz family). They are beautiful flat cuts with each one cut to fit by hand giving them unusual shapes and settings. This is what gives this gorgeous pendant its charm.
Perhaps the brooch was intended to be worn as a dove of peace with the head facing down, though with the bail on the wing, it looks as though the bird is taking flight and it has a lovely free feel about it. Such a lovely example and a combination of gemstones I have not seen in Georgian jewellery before.
The chain pictured is for display only.
Details:
Materials - Silver (tested), Quartz, Citrine
Age - Late 18th Century
Size - The bird measures approx 22mm wide by 26.5mm high (wingspan). These measurements do not include the bail.
Condition - Good. Evidence of lead in the centre back, perhaps from a historical repair? Not detrimental overall. All stones look to be original and in good condition, bar one citrine, which is likely a replacement.
Weight - 3.98g
