Stunning Diamond Star in Gold & Silver as a Brooch & Pendant, ca. 1880

One of the most popular jewellery motifs of the 19th century was the diamond-studded star - and not without reason. On the one hand, these pieces of jewellery illustrate the enthusiasm for the Orient of those years, with its fondness for foreign cultures. On the other hand, the enthusiasm for star motifs is owed to the Empress of Austria, who introduced the motif of diamond stars to Viennese society and made them immortal classics of jewellery history to this day. The most famous portrait of Sisi, painted by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, shows the young empress with a multitude of radiant diamond stars in her flowing dark hair, which were specially made for her by the Viennese court jeweller A.E. Köchert (cf. illustration). After this portrait became known, there was no stopping the ladies of Viennese society: every woman who could afford it wanted to come into possession of at least one precious diamond-studded star. Such a piece from the end of the 19th century we have before us here. It is a six-pointed star, the centre of which is occupied by a particularly beautiful old European cut diamond weighing about 1.60 ct in the colour "Top Wesselton", while the rays and even the spaces between the vegetal-looking points are set with a further 128 old-cut and rose cut diamonds. As this piece of jewellery dates from an era when white gold had not yet been invented and platinum was known but not yet satisfactorily worked, the diamonds here are set in silver. The reverse of the brooch is made of gold, as is the scrapable brooch accessory, which allows the star to be worn both as a brooch and as a pendant, as a long concealed eyelet makes it easy to hang on a chain of pearls, gold or silver. Today, as it was over 145 years ago, the Diamond Star gives the greatest pleasure and awaits a wearer who will let it shine once again! It comes with a detailed certificate from the DeGEB.

Estimate:£15,451.13

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