Antique Victorian Renaissance Revival Pendant Necklace. 15ct yellow gold, rubies and emeralds. Made in England by John Brogden circa 1880. Comes in N. Bloom & Sons box.
Measurements:
Length of chain is 16inches (41cm). Length of pendant is 3 1/4 inches (a little over 8cm). Weighs 48.7grams.
Description :
Made in the Renaissance Revival style, popular during the 2nd half of the 19th century and featuring beautiful, bright red and green rubies and emeralds, contrasting with the bright gold metal. A large bale (loop), triangular in shape with beautiful filigree openwork and granulation, showing the mastery of the techniques by John Brogden. The large size allows a large chain to be threaded through the bale. The central section of the pendant is connected to the bale by a gold loop that allows it to swing and sway as the wearer moves. It is a circle with a cross imposed over it. Triangular terminals to the arms of the cross and wonderfully detailed granulation adorn it. The center of the circle behind the cross is filled with tri-lobed, foliate open shapes, bordered by rope-twist filigree and highlighted with more granulation in gold. The entire cross is set with wonderful bright pink rubies, flat on top with faceted sides to their rectangular/square shapes. The central ruby is cushion cut. Each section of the cross terminates in a triangular terminal with filigree and granulated work, designed in the late Gothic/Renaissance style. The side arms and bottom of the cross are attached to chains of gold that each swings independently of the rest of the pendant. The chains end in fabulous square emeralds surrounded by the same filigree and granulation as the rest of the pendant. The pendant is a good reflection of the highest standard of English workmanship at the end of the 19th century. John Brogden, perhaps even more than Carlo Giuliano, was considered the very best jeweller in the United Kingdom. The pendant hangs from a great, thick, woven gold chain that fits comfortably in the large bale. Tongue in groove clasp is easy to close/open and secure. The necklace / pendant comes in an old box of red leather with green silk and velvet, embossed N. Bloom & Sons Ltd Antique Dealers 40 Albemarle Street London W1. N Bloom was famous for the very high quality antique jewelry they retailed.
Marks:
JB for John Brogden on the back of the bale. Gold of both pendant and chain was acid tested to ensure metal purity.
Condition:
Good. Negligible darkening to the gold at the back (caused by age and easy to clean off if so desired), but no damage or restoration. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
