Antique British Love Knot Gold Brooch with Garnets, c. 1850

The text contains a few spelling and grammar errors, particularly in the third and fourth paragraphs. I also smoothed out a few phrases where the sentence structure was a bit awkward. I have retained the narrative style. All changes are highlighted in bold. Knots and intertwined ribbons have been symbols of love since ancient times. They symbolically bind lovers together in an unbreakable bond and thus represent the eternal nature of this beautiful emotion we know so well. Because knots in jewelry making have always been adaptable to changing tastes and fashions, this motif has remained timeless and has been revisited time and again. The brooch presented here also features an exquisitely beautiful love knot and dates from around 1850. A single ribbon is depicted here in an artful entwining and adorned with a total of twelve magnificent red garnets. Small cord-like soldered elements and granules are set between the gemstones, giving the ribbon an almost textile-like appearance. And yet, the piece of jewellery is crafted from hand-hammered gold. In addition to their touching symbolism, knot shapes are popular motifs in jewelry design for another reason: they allow the goldsmith to demonstrate their craftsmanship. Their curved, often artfully arched metal surfaces create the most beautiful contours, capable of reflecting incoming light in a variety of ways. Thus, light and shadow shape the forms and give the piece of jewellery a special three-dimensional quality. This is precisely the case with this piece of jewellery. On the back, a small medallion compartment is set into the piece of jewellery, in which a braid of hair has been preserved. A safety chain, likely added later, prevents the piece of jewellery from being lost. Presumably made in England around 1850, this piece of jewellery is a brooch that is as romantic as it is beautiful, making it the ideal gift for someone with whom you feel connected by the proverbial bond of love. See also a very similar piece in David Bennett and Daniela Mascetti: *i* *Understanding Jewelry* , Woodbridge 2010, p. 122.

Estimate:£941.02

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