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- (SOLD) Antique Victorian Saint Esprit (Dove) Brooch Pavé Set with Turquoise
(SOLD) Antique Victorian Saint Esprit (Dove) Brooch Pavé Set with Turquoise
(SOLD) Antique Victorian Saint Esprit (Dove) Brooch Pavé Set with Turquoise
This is a marvelous, circa 1840s early Victorian brooch, modeled as a Saint Esprit dove, pavé-set with natural turquoise cabochons and garnet eyes. A turquoise-set heart pendant dangles from the beak of the dove, with a glass-backed locket containing what appears to be a lot of hair inside. The reverse of the dove is beautifully dimensional and finished, with engraved feather details. Such a sentimental piece — with the dove representing peace (or the Holy Spirit in Christian iconography) and the heart representing love.
A similar example is in the collection of the British Museum. Search Museum Number 1978,1002.380 on its website, and while you’re there, search for the turquoise-set Coburg eagle brooch that Queen Victoria presented to her train bearers for the occasion of her wedding to her beloved Prince Albert in 1840 — sparking a “trend” for turquoise-set bird brooches such as this Saint Esprit example.
Unmarked.
14k gold, silver, turquoise, garnet.
Dimensions and weight:
● 40 mm long
● 42 mm wide
● 7 mm deep
● 12.4 grams
Period: Victorian
*Please note that all dimensions and weights are approximate. Age-commensurate wear may be present.
*For deliveries outside of the continental U.S., please contact us for shipping information.
This is a marvelous, circa 1840s early Victorian brooch, modeled as a Saint Esprit dove, pavé-set with natural turquoise cabochons and garnet eyes. A turquoise-set heart pendant dangles from the beak of the dove, with a glass-backed locket containing what appears to be a lot of hair inside. The reverse of the dove is beautifully dimensional and finished, with engraved feather details. Such a sentimental piece — with the dove representing peace (or the Holy Spirit in Christian iconography) and the heart representing love.
A similar example is in the collection of the British Museum. Search Museum Number 1978,1002.380 on its website, and while you’re there, search for the turquoise-set Coburg eagle brooch that Queen Victoria presented to her train bearers for the occasion of her wedding to her beloved Prince Albert in 1840 — sparking a “trend” for turquoise-set bird brooches such as this Saint Esprit example.
Unmarked.
14k gold, silver, turquoise, garnet.
Dimensions and weight:
● 40 mm long
● 42 mm wide
● 7 mm deep
● 12.4 grams
Period: Victorian
*Please note that all dimensions and weights are approximate. Age-commensurate wear may be present.
*For deliveries outside of the continental U.S., please contact us for shipping information.
