Antique Georgian Hair Pin with Foiled Garnets, c. 1820

This pin has a jewel at its center that was particularly precious to its first wearer: a braided lock of brunette hair under glass. In earlier times, hair mementos were not only reserved for mourning, but were also worn as a souvenir d'amour, a romantic memento of a living person close to the wearer. A wreath of flat-cut red garnets surrounds the precious memento. The stones shine in closed, foiled settings in the color of deep red cherries. Even after two centuries, they still sparkle deeply and expressively. Their flat cut also lends them a considerable brilliance that is rarely seen in later garnet jewelry. We were able to discover this well-preserved brooch in England, where it was probably made. In English-speaking countries, this type of brooch, which was very popular at the beginning of the 19th century, is also known as a "lace pin" or "fichu pin", as its purpose was to pin a shawl (called fichu) to the neckline. The brooch is an exciting and well-preserved piece that has been cared for and treasured for over two centuries.

Estimate:$769.25

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