Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Lace Pin c.1890
£1,950.00
An unusual Victorian small sapphire and diamond brooch.
The brooch which is styled as an antique lace pin has a bright 'cornflower' blue sapphire to the centre surrounded with a border of old cut diamonds in an oval cluster design.
The brooch is finely made in gold with a gold 'sprung' pin to the reverse.
The 'lace pin' or 'fichu pin', is a small everyday piece of jewellery which in could have been worn by women from all walks of society. They take their name from their original purpose as a decorative pin used to secure the fabric (fichu) draped around the neck and shoulders which was an essential part of 18th century dress. This example is a late Victorian 'copy' of an earlier piece.
Fichu is a French term from the past participle of ficher, to fix. It indicates a light-weight kerchief folded into a triangle and fixed either with a knot or pin in the front, like a very small, triangular shawl. This was used to hide excessive décolleté in day gowns and to keep the neck and chest warm in cold weather as well as for decorative purposes. Fichus were made of linen, silk or lace and could be decorated with lace or embroidery.
Era: Victorian, 1839 - 1901
Measurements: Sapphire estimated 1.50 carats
Total old cut diamond weight estimated 0.60 carats,
Brooch 1.5cm (0.6") in length, 1.1cm (0.4") in width,
Brooch weighs 1.7 grams.
Hallmarks: No assay marks, tests as 18ct gold
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