Posted 9 years ago
jensen
(100 items)
I hope that the many jewelry experts in this forum can help me identify this piece of jewelry! I am a little out of my comfort zone here, knowing very little about jewelry. It belongs to a friend who intended to sell it for nothing on a flea market believing that it was just a piece of cheap bling. But is it?
It is a 3 x 4 cm pendant which can also be used as a brooch. To me the style indicates late 19th century, but the lock on the brooch seems to be later. The pendant consists of a portrait of a woman (enamel? porcelain?), the details on her dress apparently painted on, set in some sort of yellow metal, decorated with white stones and seed pearls.
On the back there are two tiny marks which I can't really make out. The pendant resides in a box which may or may not be original - at least it looks as if it has some age to it. Inside the box, it reads 'Perfecta' and something I can't read.
So, fellow CW members, can anyone identify this? Date, age, country?
The clasp and hinge are old.
From the photos the safety pin has been added to the bale, so originally it was a pendant. There seems to be some marks on one of the lower down right side hedge. The colour looks gold, I'll be interested to see what the experts think. It's a lovely pendant, it's a good job your friend didn't sell it for nothing. Good luck.
That's right - I forgot to take out the safety pin before the picture was taken. Thanks for your comments, Peasejean55!
Lol, jensen.
Well, I never - you're quite right, Peasejean - there are some minuscule marks on the right side hedge! Very difficult to make out, though. One might be a head of some sort...
When I look at this brooch/pendant, to me it screams Georgian.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Italian-18k-Gold-Diamond-Portrait-Pendant-Brooch-/321834817043?hash=item4aeed99613
This is just a example
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-18K-Yellow-Gold-Portrait-Miniature-Brooch-Pendant-Hand-Painted-/161375141638?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2592b53f06
There are quite a few on ebay, have a look.
I still think she's from the Georgian era.
This is a lovely brooch, agree with Peasejean on her analysis. The box isn't original to the piece I don't think. Good luck with the ID! :)
If you can capture very clear, in-focus close-up images of the hallmarks, it will narrow down country of origin and dates. My opinion is that the center plaque image is a replacement and is not as old as the rest of the pin. I suggest taking this to a GIA certified estate jeweler to test the metal and look at the set stones under a loupe.
Thanks for the comments and help - I am glad that my instinct was not completely off; next step must be to have some expert look at it.
The marks are hallmarks for sure! So, gold, and as Nora said, need more focused pics of all the marks (those on right side seem well stroke).
Seed pearls and clear stones are probably rosecut diamonds.
In my feeling, not Georgian! Rather late Victorian era, and before id the marks, feel it continental but not French.
Box isn't the original one!
Forgot to say that it seems to be hallmarked on the needle too :-)
Kyra - thanks; you're right - there are marks on the needle, too! I've spent so much time now trying to see what they are, but my magnifying glass isn't good enough, so my next project is to find one that is!
Hi jensen, I was wondering if you have found out anything more. I'm interested in this piece. Please keep us informed. :-)
Thanks, peasejean - I will certainly keep you informed! Unfortunately I haven't been able to take it to a specialist or the like, as I have had to spend time on this annoying thing called 'work'! Hope to get back to it soon, though!