Antique Pendant-Brooch with Natural Pearls in Gold, New York, c. 1900

One of the most popular jewelry motifs of the 19th century was the star. Empress Elisabeth of Austria's diamond stars, which she wore as brooches and hair ornaments at the Viennese court, are famous. However, stars made of diamonds, gemstones and pearls were also worn and loved in all other European countries - and in the New World too. A look at contemporary catalogs shows that pendants and brooches with stars were particularly popular in the last decades of the 19th century and the first years of the 20th century, made from a wide variety of materials depending on the wearer's budget and personal preference. In English-speaking countries, stars made of warm yellow gold and richly decorated with small pearls were particularly popular. This type of jewellery emerged in Great Britain at the end of the century, but quickly became popular in the USA and Canada too. This star is a beautiful example of this jewellery fashions and, according to the hallmark, comes from the Ehlers & Co. range in New York. Made from warm yellow gold, the star is set with shimmering natural pearls. We date the star to around c. 1900 and for comparison, we have reproduced a page from a 1904 catalog of B. & H. B. Kent, Diamond Merchants and Jewelers from Toronto. It offered numerous variations on this theme to interested customers and can also be viewed online. Browse through the pages, it is exciting to see how many different and yet similar versions of this design idea were available at the time. This star can be worn both as a brooch and as a pendant. It is in very good condition.

Estimate:£746.29

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