Early Victorian latin cross with rose cuts

Early Victorian latin cross with rose cuts.

Antique cross pendant with five gold rings or viroles set with diamonds, at the intersection of branches, four elements decorated with flowers. Bail welded at the top. Work of the first half of the 19th century..

Object Group : pendants
Country of Origin : Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe it is of French or Belgian origin.
Style : Pre or early Victorian
Style Specifics : The center diamond is cut in a way that is called a table rose cut diamond, a way of diamond polishing typical for the 15th till 18th Century.
Period : 1820
Source of Inspiration : Christianity
Theme : Latin cross - There exist several types of crosses, and the one this pendant represents is a Latin cross on which, according to Augustinus, Christ was crucified.
Material : 18k yellow gold and silver, see also: The silver on gold technique
Technique : Silver on gold. This technique finds its origin centuries ago, when jewelers believed that only a silver mounting could render the true beauty of a diamond. Backing the silver jewel with a (thin) layer of gold was a practical precaution taken to avoid the silver jewelry leaving black stains on clothing or skin. Over the years, with the recognition (and thus use) of platinum as precious metal and the development of white gold the practical necessity to use bi-colored material became obsolete. The argument to use bi-colored metals became more an estetic then a practical one.
Extra Info: The way this cross was made and the rose cut diamonds used in it, tells us that it must have been made in the western part of Europe in the first half of the nineteenth century. That it is made from 18K gold excludes (with some certainty) countries like Holland and Germany but could indicate that it was made either in Belgium or France. A French dealer would call this a Normandic cross, while a Belgian dealer would call this a Flemish cross.
Diamonds : Ten rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.
Weight : 7.10 gram (4.57 dwt)
Hallmarks : No trace
Condition : Excellent condition - (click here for our condition scale)
Measurements : 4.48 cm (1.76 inch) x 3.14 cm (1.24 inch)<


When refering this piece : Mention the following number: 04264-4107 or click here.


Click on the following links to see more of our:
Crosses
Religious All
Pre Victorian jewelry
Victorian jewelry
Latest acquisitions.