Antique cross pendant knot diamonds French regional Normandy

The elegant knot shaped pattern is inspired by the knots of the "joaillerie" that began to adorn ladies' corsets of the nobility under Louis XIII and Louis XIV.

No other emblem of the 18th and 19th century was more iconic than the cross. It managed to be, at the same time, both a symbol of faith and a fashion statement. It flashed in diamonds upon the décolletés of wealthy people in cities all over France, but its daily presence glowing at the throats of devout women of the regional provinces was at least as powerful. Shining equally brilliantly in churches, and ballrooms, the emblematic force of the cross as a spiritual symbol and a beautiful adornment has never ceased to mesmerize.

In our days, French regional crosses are very scarce compared to the variety that existed in the old days. Most of these crosses are now kept in museums or in private collections.

Antique jewelry object group: pendant

Condition: excellent condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: Most probably France, Normandy

Style: Georgian - Georgian style is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United Kingdom, and George IV of the United Kingdom—who reigned in continuous succession from August 1714 to June 1830.
  -  See also: Georgian or more info on styles

Period: ca. 1780
  -  (events and facts in 1780)

Source of inspiration: Christianity

Theme: Cross - The cross is one of the most ancient human symbols, and is used by many religions, such as Christianity. It is frequently a representation of the division of the world into four elements (or cardinal points), or alternately as the union of the concepts of divinity, the vertical line, and the world, the horizontal line. (from: Wikipedia)

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

Technique: The rose cuts are set on foil. This is a special technique that was used to bring the lustre of the diamonds to its best quality.

Diamonds: 14 rose cut diamonds and senailles . A senaille is a simplified rose cut diamond, a small diamond chip with perhaps a few polished facets. We do not have the weight of the rose cuts diamonds nor the senailles which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cut diamonds and senailles.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
  -  (more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: No trace.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: height 4,60 cm (1,81 inch)

Weight: 8,60 gram (5,53 dwt)

Reference Nº: 15033-0117

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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Jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for:
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August - September - October - November or December.


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