Antique Georgian Lovers Eye Brooch, Antique Gold Mourning Lovers Eye Brooch

View Similar Items

Antique Diamond Mourning Brooch, Pendant, Black Enamel and 15k Gold

Antique Victorian Mourning Pendant Brooch, 9k Yellow Gold, Onyx and Hairwork

Antique Georgian Mourning Pendant Gold Painted Porcelain Hair Pearl Initials

Antique Georgian Key to my Heart mourning locket, 18k gold and Hairwork, padlock

Antique Victorian Seed Pearl and Yellow Gold Pendant Brooch

GeorgIan Garnet Flat Cut Snowflake/Cross Pendant or Brooch

Georgian 1810 Antique Convertible Brooch 18Kt Gold 6.48 Ctw in Emeralds Diamonds

Georgian Snake Poison Locket Pendant Mourning Garnet Antique Gold 1800 Rare

Impressive 14 Carat Gold and Carved Tigers Eye Butterfly Pendant Brooch

Gold Pearl Brooch/Pendant

Georgian Enamelled Mourning Pendant c.1784

Antique Georgian Flat Cut Garnet Pearl Mourning Pendant in 18ct Gold

Video Loading

1 of 6

Antique Georgian Lovers Eye Brooch, Antique Gold Mourning Lovers Eye Brooch

About the Item

A unique and very rare authentic 'lovers eye' brooch. Made of solid 9kt gold, British. Dating back to the early 1800's and set with original seed pearls, this brooch is set with a crystal centerpiece. The crystal holds a miniature painting of an eye and is preserved in a very good state. The brooch has no fixes or repairs. The crystal has a minor internal !!! surface dent due to its age. Will make a unique ring for antique jewelry collectors as authentic Lovers Eye jewelry is very hard to find! Hallmarks: none, tests as 9kt gold; Dimensions: 3.3 x 2 cm; Crystal window diameter: 0.7 cm; Ring Weight: 7.2 grams; History of 'Lovers Eye' jewelry: The fashion for eye miniatures began in 1784 with the affair between Prince of Wales, son of King George III, and Maria Fitzherbert, twice widowed and a Catholic she was definitely not a suitable consort for a future king! The prince commissioned Richard Cosway, painter to the Prince of Wales, to paint a miniature of his eye to send to her in 1785 while she was away in France. Another, recorded in unpaid commissions from the prince in 1786, was a painting of Mrs Fitzherbert's eye, and later, miniatures of prince's eye and another of his mouth! In 1795, commissioners were appointed to list the prince's debts (1625 pounds were due to Richard Cosway) - the result of a passion for gambling, collecting and debauchery. To settle them down the prince was asked to marry his cousin, Princess Caline of Brunswick. As the prince was such a bon viveur and leader of fashion, the eye miniatures became fashionable among his 'set' and a number were created in London and on the Continent between 1780 and 1820. Frames vary considerably. Cosways miniature was framed in a simple gold locket. Gradually the frames became more sophisticated - diamonds, pearls and precious stones adorned the settings. The gold frames were frequently decorated with bright cutting -sharp, slash-like decoration made of gold or silver. Some were designed a coiled serpent biting it's tail - the symbol of eternal love and life. Some examples are backed with plaited hair. They are particularly fascinating because of the hidden messages they send - 'the eye is the window of the soul' or 'I have my eye on you'. Eye jewelry was not always a symbol of love - they could also be symbols of mourning (memento mori in Latin). By the early 19th century 'lovers eye' jewels had a new name - 'tear jewellery', and a new purpose - as sentiment keepsakes of a dearly departed. Some of these have a tear glistening at the corner of the eye to intimate sorrow and many show the eye peeking through a veil of clouds, perhaps too infer that the loved one might be watching from the high the goings-on of this mortal world.

Metal:
Gold,9k Gold
Stone:
Freshwater Pearl
Stone Cut:
Round Cut
Weight:
7.2 g
Dimensions:
Width: 1.3 in (33 mm)Length: 0.79 in (20 mm)
Style:
Georgian
Place of Origin:
United Kingdom
Period:
Early 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1800
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Internal crystal chip. Not structural chip on the inner side of the crystal.
Seller Location:
Rottedam, NL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU2439215035702