Antique jewelry and other fine antique items from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras
E-mail Darlene

Georgian pendant with miniature on ivory, an offering to love


Reference #:  9354

Status: sold

Dimensions:  1.25 by 2 inches or 2.3 cm by 5 cm; chain is approx. 22 inches

Condition: excellent; chain is early Victorian but looks perfect with the pendant

Year: 1790-1810

Price: sold

Description: Romantic French pendant containing a fine miniature on ivory.    The sepia miniature depicts a vestal virgin making an offering to love. 

Surrounding the miniature are lovely paste diamonds.  The Georgian setting is all original and comprised of silver and rose gold.  French hallmarks are located on the back of the bow.  This is an outstanding Georgian pendant; the paste is bright and the finely executed miniature is lovely. 
In ancient Rome, Vestal Virgins were priestesses who dedicated themselves to serving Vesta, Goddess of Home and Hearth.   Vesta believed Love should be source of the flame that kept both home and hearth warm and hence, most artist renderings of the Vestal fire has images of cherubs in them.
       
What is paste? Paste is cut glass that has been faceted to resemble diamonds or other precious stones.  Jewelry historians credit the 18th century French jeweler Georges Frederic Stras for perfecting the art of cutting paste jewels.  For this reason, paste is oftentimes called "strass"; especially by European collectors