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Graisons Fine Jewellery

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Antique Georgian 15ct Yellow Gold And Pearl Lace Pin - Circa 1800

Sale price$905.00 SGD

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A common misconception with ‘Hair’ work jewellery from the Georgian era is that they are associated with death and mourning, when in fact much of the jewellery was a token of love and friendship made by women using their children’s and family members hair as keepsakes as heirlooms of the future.  

In the late 1780’s Elizabeth Shackleton wrote in her diary that she had commissioned a bracelet with an “extreme neat Landscape in my own hair” as well as another made from the hair of her three living sons ‘so as to shew all the hair distinctly’.   Therefore let’s not be repulsed (as some are…) by this once very common and sentimental intricate work now lost to a time gone by.

This fine example is crafted from 15ct yellow gold and set with an array of natural half Pearls in typical Georgian cut down settings, all original, surrounding the centre curved glass panel holding a finely plained mat of blonde hair.

To the closed back verso we find the original C clasp and pine, and a later addition of a safety chain and pin. 

An almost identical example can be seen in ‘Georgian Jewellery 1714-1830’ - by Ginny Redington Dawes and Olivia Collings - page 148. (*see Photo).

STONES
Natural half Pearl

MEASUREMENTS
4cm x 1.8cm

WEIGHT
8.48 Grams

MARKS
None

CONDITION
Very good to excellent Georgian condition.  All Pearls are natural (cultured Pearls were not invented in 1800..). All Pearls are original, no replacements, no re-gluing.  Glass is original, with only very minor marks seen under loupe only.  No dents to verso, original clasp and pin, no repairs to either.  Safety chain and the terminal holding it have been added later, some silver solder can be seen, done well and is very secure, chain and safety pin tested as 15ct gold also.  No issues to note. 


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