A dog’s life

Victorian Essex Crystal of a Terrier as Brooch & Pendant, England ca. 1870

€ 1,490.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Unit price €1,490.00 / piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Victorian Essex Crystal of a Terrier as Brooch & Pendant, England ca. 1870

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

The Englishman in himself is sometimes inclined to peculiarities which usually make him seem amiable in the eyes of mainland Europeans. Some things are developed into true passions, so there are hardly any people who so excessively plant gardens, lay carpeting in bathrooms or love funny-looking dogs. This latter fact has led to some of the most bizarre dog breeds coming from Britain. From the Welsh Corgie to the Basset, the Jack Russell Terrier or the English Bulldog, there are countless examples of dog breeds that got their start on the island. A very special little fellow of English origin we see on this piece of jewellery which can be worn both as a brooch and as a pendant. In front of a golden background we see a so-called "Essex Crystal" with a portrait of a small terrier. In the case of an Essex Crystal, the depiction is cut into a rock crystal from behind in the manner of an intaglio and is then painted. The small dog with black fur wears a collar and looks at us somewhat grimly or skeptically. It can be assumed that here a somewhat eccentric lady or gentleman had their darling portrayed in this rare medium, in order to always be able to carry him very close to the heart! The master craftsman has succeeded in capturing the physiognomy and the attentive character of the animal. The depiction is also backed with a gold plate to further enhance the three-dimensional effect of the three-dimensional cuts. Precise details of the fur can be seen and the deep cut even reveals a real shadow play of the figure in the crystals. The Essex crystal is set in high karat gold, the design language of the setting and its details let us date the piece to the 1870s. An enchanting piece of jewellery for all dog lovers!

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The exact origins of the Essex Crystal are unknown; however, corresponding pieces of jewellery can be observed for the first time since the middle of the 19th century in England. Preference was given to the depiction of dogs, cats, horses and hunting motifs. The craftsmanship required to achieve the lifelike realism of the images was enormous. The small portrait miniatures were created using a series of techniques and steps. First, a clear rock crystal or piece of glass is cut into a cabochon, with a domed front and a flat back. Then the motif is cut into the back as a negative shape or intaglio to achieve the desired three-dimensional trompe l'œil effect. The resulting image is now painstakingly hand-painted, reproducing even the smallest details with admirable fidelity to nature. Finally, the depiction is provided with a thin background, e.g. of mother-of-pearl, and the crystal is then set into a piece of jewellery.

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Size & Details

A dog’s life

€ 1,490.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Unit price €1,490.00 / piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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A dog’s life

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