Antique Enamel Dog Portrait Pendant - William Bishop Ford

About the Item

A wonderful Victorian miniature enamel dog portrait by the esteemed miniature portraitist William Bishop Ford. Originally this was a tie pin/cravat pin/stick pin, but has been carefully converted into a charm pendant. Crafted of yellow gold testing between 15K and 18K (marked 18K), the bezel set miniature portrait is done in enamel, featuring the dignified face of a beautiful Dog that I've seen referred to as a Staffordshire Terrier, a Great Dane, a Chocolate Lab and a Weimeraner. The reverse is counter enameled and signed and dated by the artist: 1879. A tiny gold loop and oval shaped jump ring of 14K gold is present at the top of the bezel. (William Bishop Ford (1832 - 1922) was a painter of miniature enamels, including portraits of Prince Albert and Edward VII. He was a student and assistant to William Essex, who specialized in miniatures of dogs and other animals. Ford exhibited at the Royal Academy and his work is also on display at the Victorian & Albert Museum.) Still in very good antique condition, with only slight wear near the nose/mouth of the dog, the painting is done on a lightly domed surface, with the open backed bezel allowing the signature and date to be seen. There are gold hallmarks on the back and side of the setting, though they don't completely correspond to the marks in my resources. (I have tested the gold.) Slight impressions remain at the top back of where the branches from the pin stem once attached. The dark areas in my photos are actually just reflections. With a total drop length of approximately 7/8 of an inch (23.2 mm), the diameter of the piece including the bezel is just over 5/8 of an inch (16.2 mm) On my scale, the pendant weighs 2.39 grams. Perfect for my fellow dog lovers.

Creator:

William Bishop Ford

Metal:

Gold,Enamel

Weight:

2.39 g

Dimensions:

Diameter: 0.63 in (16.01 mm)Length: 0.88 in (22.36 mm)

Style:

Victorian

Place of Origin:

United Kingdom

Period:

1870-1879

Date of Manufacture:

1879

Condition:

Additions or alterations made to the original: This was originally an antique cravat pin/stick pin that has been converted into a pendant by adding a small gold loop and oval shaped jump ring at the top of the original gold bezel. Wear consistent with age and use. very slight wear near the dogs mouth/nose.

Seller Location:

Danvers, MA

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU3614219619832

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