Description
This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!
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In ancient times, diamonds were prized above all for their incomparable hardness. As symbols of invincible strength, their beauty was secondary at best. In fact, early diamonds do not appear at all attractive to the modern eye. Medieval cutting techniques also did not allow for spectacular light reflections and the widespread table cuts only accentuated the brightness and color of the stones.
All this changed in the graduated 17th century. The nobility of the Baroque period developed a preference for glittering gemstones. Rose-cut diamonds, whose many facets reflect the candlelight beautifully, were particularly popular. In the middle of the century, the first early brilliant cut developed, known as the Mazarin cut after the influential Cardinal Jules Mazarin and characterized by a crown with 17 facets.
Towards the end of the century, these diamonds were replaced by a new shape, the Peruzzi cut, named after its inventor. Vincenzo Peruzzi was a gemstone cutter from Venice who increased the crown of the diamonds by an additional 33 facets to a total of 33, thereby increasing the fire of the stones enormously. However, these early diamonds were not standardized in terms of the number and shape of the facets. Each stone was cut in such a way that as much substance as possible could be retained.
New diamond deposits in Brazil in the second half of the 18th century then led to a cut shape that became known as the Old Mine Cut. These diamonds are already very similar to today's full-cut diamonds, but it would take a few more generations of continuous improvement in cutting technology before the old mine cut became the old cut and finally, in the 1940s, the modern full cut.
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Size & Details
| Material: | 18 old-cut diamonds, totaling 1.21 ct, H-I, vsi–pi 70 smaller rose-cut diamonds, total approx. 0.25 ct, good to medium color and clarity One natural star-cut sapphire, approx. 0.006 ct, 0.9 mm diameter Gold, min. 585/000, equivalent to 14 carat Silver Enamel Safety chain made of base metal |
| Hallmarks: | No hallmarks or stamps |
| Size: | 5.2 cm wide, 1.7 cm high |
| Weight: | 9.7 g |
| Condition: | Very good, the enamel on the jockey's head and on the trouser leg slightly tarnished, the pin mount on the back was renewed in earlier times |
| More: | The brooch has a later added safety chain with an additional pin. Comes in the illustrated antique box from the jeweler John Purser & Sons, Portsmouth. |
| Certificate: | Delivery with certificate |
| Item ID: | 16-2102 |
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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