Georgian pocket watch cock set with an old cut real diamond Brooch 19 th Century Gilt Steel
This is a Victorian brooch and is an excellent example of 19th Century recycled jewellery! This gilded pin is made from the workings of a much earlier Georgian pocket watch. When watches (which would have had real gold or silver cases) were scrapped, enterprising Victorian jewellers recognised the intricate work and knew these watch cocks were too special to throw away. Thus the lovely gilded metal watchcocks from the workings got a new life as wearable jewellery which was a much-admired novelty. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets and pins were made up from these unique and intricate scrap parts. The resulting treasures were known as 'inspiration jewellery' and this 7cm/2.75inch long brooch is a great example. Offered in very good order it has the most detailed designs on it on two individual watch workings mounted together. The larger watch cock has a rose cut natural diamond on it amongst scrolls, curlicues and an architectural detail to one edge. The slightly smaller one shows a giardinetti (from the Italian meaning “Little Garden”) design in the form of a pot with plants and open flowers amongst leaves and scrolls. Engraved and pierced details make up the surface design and the parts have been secured to a cut mount with a long meta pin with a ‘c’ shaped clasp.
JEWELLERY DETAILS
Designer or Brand: No, this is a 'one off'
Country of Origin: UK
Condition: Very Good
Decade: 1890s for the brooch made with parts from the 1700s and 1800s.
Era: Antique
Type: Brooch
Material: Gilded Steel, real old facet cut diamond