Antique British Pendant/Brooch with Amethysts & Pearls in Gold, c. 1900

More than a hundred years ago, someone had a sunny dream. A dream of gold in the hue of the evening sun, of deep violet like ripe grapes in the last light of summer, and of shimmering white reminiscent of bright clouds in the sky. In the hands of a goldsmith, this dream finally became a reality. With the utmost care, he created a piece of jewellery whose colours, light, and luster still capture the atmosphere of a mild summer evening to this day. The pendant is designed as a stylized flower. It combines amethysts and natural pearls in warm, shimmering gold. The amethysts display the coveted rich “Siberian” colour and, alongside the cream-colored natural pearls, radiate an extraordinary luminosity. An additional layer of fine gold plating gives the gold a particularly rich, velvety yellow hue that impressively sets off the gemstones. The design’s warm color palette reflected the tastes of the time c. 1900, particularly in Great Britain, where jewellery in warm yellow gold—usually lavishly set with pearls—was a distinctly British fashion. Thanks to a pin on the back, the pendant can also be worn as a brooch. We’ve paired it with a simple, modern anchor chain. We discovered it in London, where it was also crafted over a century ago—a small work of art that has lost none of its warmth and charm to this day.

Estimate:$1,549.65

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