Recently Sold (EDP021)

The Grass Is Greener - Edwardian 9K Gold Paste Peridot & Natural Seed Pearl Lavalier Pendant and 14K Gold Chain. The pendant is crafted from 9K gold, hallmarked 9ct , a British Hallmark for 9K gold and the chain is hallmarked 14K, Italy. Featuring two round cut paste peridot gems, 20 natural seed pearls, exquisite detail and quality craftsmanship.  This Edwardian era lavalier is beautifully rendered. It is in the Art Nouveau style, showcasing a beautiful tear-drop shape pendant with open-work detail. The central portion has a delicate milgrain collet, which is set with a vibrant green peridot. The frame of the pendant consists of twists, scrolls, and foliage decoration. Which is also adorned with beautiful natural silvery grey pearls, which enhance the character of the pendant. Below is a suspended circular shaped peridot dropper, which is also collet set.  This Edwardian beauty dates from 1890-1910, truly a piece to be cherished for many years to come... a fine example where, "The Grass Greener"

Note: Appraisal included with pendant. Contemporary appraisals do not reflect the antiquity value.  Professional Appraisal for $2000 (tax excluded) 

Comments: Wonderfully crafted, and exquisite detail. 

History:Paste jewellery dates back to France during the 18th century when a jeweller named Georges Frederic Stras began hand crafting fine-quality Paste jewellery in 1724. He was quickly then appointed as “Jeweller to the King”, and began making Paste jewellery for King Louis XV of France.

The fabled origin of Peridot stretches back to Ancient Egypt, on the volcanic island of Zebargad in the Red Sea. Peridot was so treasured by the Ancient Egyptians that they kept the island's location a secret. With the fall of the Egyptian empire, the island became lost to antiquity, and was only rediscovered in 1906. The peridot was known to be King Edward the VII favorite gemstone. 

Pearls were presented as gifts to Chinese royalty as early as 2300 BC, while in ancient Rome, pearl jewellery was considered the ultimate status symbol. So precious were the spherical gems that in the 1st century BC, Julius Caesar passed a law limiting the wearing of pearls only to the ruling classes.

Gold was generally used for a couple thousand years solely to create things such as jewelry and idols for worship. This was until around 1500 BC when the ancient empire of Egypt, which benefited greatly from its gold-bearing region, Nubia, made gold the first official medium of exchange for international trade.

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of Continental Europe. 

The Edwardian era or Edwardian period of British history spanned the reign of King Edward VII, 1901 to 1910, and is sometimes extended to the start of the First World War. The death of Queen Victoria in January 1901 marked the end of the Victorian era.

The general consensus is that the pendant finishes in a single stone dangling from the base, often a pearl or diamond. A lavalier necklace is also sometimes called a Y necklace. In pendant form, the lavalier often has delicate filigree work, sometimes with feminine and floral motifs.

Measurements: Pendant 45.00 mm x 30.00.   Chain  18" - 20" (adjustable)

Stone Size: Peridot (paste) 4.20 mm  - 6.50 mm   Seed Pearl 1.20 - 1.60 mm 

Weight: 4.10 grams    

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: Pendant : England     Chain: Italy 

Date: Pendant 1890 - 1910     Chain: 21st Century