Antique 15ct Gold Brooch with Seed Pearls and Paste
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Paste / Rhinestone / Diamante - Paste (or rhinestone or diamante) is the name given to a coloured glass composition used for imitation gemstones, or to imitation gemstones made of glass.
Although the technique of glassmaking had been known for thousands of years, but it wasn't until a lead glass with similar optical properties to diamonds were invented by a German jeweller working in Paris (either "Stras" or 'Strasser") in the early 18th century that "paste" gemstones became popular.
There was no social stigma attached to wearing imitation stones, and they were worn in situations where highway robbery was a possibility. The 18th century settings were of very high quality, equivilent to real gemstone jewellery.
In the nineteeth century the quality of paste jewellery declined and it has remained the poor cousin to genuine gemstones ever since.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
An antique 9ct rose gold seed pearl Swallow and crescent brooch with safety chain. Two pearls missing. Af. Original box. Weight: 2.5g
Boxed Victorian 15ct gold and pearl spray brooch, weight approx 6.97 grams, size: approx 5 cm length
Victorian 9ct single amethyst snap bracelet hexagonal mixed cut amethyst set on fancy head (replacement lower half of bracelet)
A boxed pair sterling silver berry spoons 1st quarter 19th century, London assay marks, probably engraved and decorated later mid 19th cent. Length 21.8 cm, total weight: 118gms