ABOUT:
One of the larger of these old figural carved Victorian pieces that I have had. This one is quite the head turner! It's fun in a neck mess because it is completely reversible so it can spin to show its detail at all angles.
This was a watch fob back in the day but would make an amazing pendant. It is a 3D hand carved image of a dog with an 18k gold base and gold top. The base has ball rivet designs around it like a collar.
To be honest, I'm not sure what the material is? Some sort of resin or gutta percha? because it feels pretty dense and does not have the glassy feel of jet or onyx. There is one stripe of lighter hue at the top of one ear so it doesn't appear to be solid black all the way through either, but certainly well made and too dense to be plastic or anything chintzy. I only noticed the lighter edge when studying it under magnification. Gutta percha is made from tree sap and was often mixed with a large percentage of other materials.
Plenty of signs of age to the base as well. Very dark jet black in color.
The Victorians were fascinated with nature and also with jewelry, and we see some wonderful designs come from the period incorporating both of these delights. As the figural pieces of the Victorian era often held a symbolism, the hunting dog this was a popular motif during the Victorian period. The motif was used often in jewelry design for representing loyalty, devotion and faithfulness.
Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures. Some of my buyers "draw out" an example to get an idea of scale in person. They are always smaller in real life than they appear in photos due to the zoom photos I am required to show.
Antique Boxes, props, chains, bannisters, mice : ) not included.
MEASUREMENTS:
30mm tall
25mm nose to back of head
14mm deep.
Weight: 7.9 grams.
IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:
No hallmarks but tests at 18k gold. No chips or damage, just that little tiny stripe of lighter coloring. There is wear to the rivets around the collar and some little bits of solder that appear to have been done in the making of the piece because they don't appear to to be repairs.
Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : )
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )
Striking to wear with the figural shape and amazing color.
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SOCIAL:
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