Romantic brooch pendant with painted miniature on ivory and paste stones

A very nice piece of early 19th Century ornamental jewelry we have here. A truly nice miniature painting on ivory portraying a romantic scene of a dreamy woman in a position that some 170 years later brought Janet Jackson legal trouble. In her hands she is holding a flowery wreath. The jewel itself is made of silver and is elaborated decorated with gold attachements.

True, but we only have one charming reason to believe that the woman depicted in this 19th Century brooch/pendant is Agnès Sorel (1422 – 1450). Agnès Sorel was twenty years old when she was first introduced to King Charles. At that time, she was holding a position in the household of Rene I of Naples, Charles' brother-in-law. As reflected in art of the day, she was an extraordinarily beautiful young woman, and was also extremely intelligent. The French king was immediately smitten by her charms and took her as his mistress; he even gave her the Château de Loches (where he had been persuaded by Joan of Arc to be crowned King of France) as her private residence. She entered the French court in 1444 and introduced the single bare-breasted decolletage becoming a real trendsetter for many noble ladies following her example.

For reasons we do not know of, several dishes are named after her (a real attacker is the Agnès Sorel Cream Soup). She really got noticed; not a bad achievement for a woman who lived so long ago for such a short period of time.

Antique jewelry object group: brooches and pendants

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Romanticism
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Period: ca. 1830
(events and facts in 1830)

Source of inspiration: love and romance

Material: Silver on top and backed with 18K red gold (see explanation on silver on gold).
(more info on precious metals)

Extra information: brooch and pendant - Thanks to a discreetly placed ring system in the back, this jewel can also be worn either as a brooch or as a pendant.

Diamonds: 132 rose cut paste stones as imitation for rose cut diamonds.

Precious stones: 13 red paste (also called strass) as ruby imiation and 312 white paste (also called strass) as diamond imitation.
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Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and ruby for July.
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Hallmarks: No trace.
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Condition: excellent condition
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Dimensions: height approximately 7.00 cm (2.76 inch)

Weight: 25.70 gram (16.53 dwt)



Reference Nº: 09306-4335

See also our:
victorian jewelry, victorian brooches, victorian combined brooches and pendants, victorian pendants, combined brooches and pendants, jewelry with rose cut diamonds, jewelry with diamond, jewelry with ruby, jewelry with strass/paste, latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

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