A Victorian Gem-set Gold Holbeinesque Pendant

A Victorian Gem-set Gold Holbeinesque Pendant

Description

A Victorian gem-set Holbeinesque pendant, to the centre a cabochon emerald set between four octagonal-cut garnets surrounded by an oval yellow gold mount set with four pear-shaped emeralds and four red guilloche enamel flowerheads each centred with a small diamond, to the bottom a blue enamelled scroll and diamond suspending a natural pearl attached to an enamel decorated cap, the reverse yellow gold scroll engraved decoration, circa 1880, measuring approximately 7.1 x 2.9cm, gross weight 15.3 grams.

A sumptuous Victorian Holbeinesque pendant, made in around 1880. Holbeinesque is a term used to describe Victorian jewellery that was made in the style of the Renaissance, particularly inspired by the Northern Renaissance and the paintings of Hans Holbein. Holbein himself produced sketches of the jewellery worn at the Tudor court, and the sketches were used as reference points by Victorian jewellery designers and craftsmen. This pendant is bold and colourful, featuring bright Kelly-green emeralds, purple-hued garnets and wonderfully coloured enamel set on yellow gold. This magnificent piece would look superb on a Victorian chain or suspended from a velvet ribbon in the Victorian style.