A Victorian Holbeinesque Garnet Pendant

A Victorian Holbeinesque Garnet Pendant

Description

A Victorian Holbeinesque garnet, chyrsoberyl, gold and champlevé enamel pendant, to the centre with a cabochon garnet embellished with twenty small chrysoberyls, within a frame decorated with polychrome enamel encrusted with six large chrysoberyls, suspending a chrysoberyl-set drop, all mounted in yellow gold, with locket compartment on the reverse, circa 1870, measuring approximately 7.7 x 3.1cm, gross weight 23.4 grams.

A bold Victorian Holbeinesque pendant. 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. The central feature of this pendant is a large deep red garnet which is surrounded by a detailed enamel frame set with scintillating diamonds and bright chrysoberyl stones. Intricate and ornate, this pendant exemplifies the Victorian Renaissance revival style.