A touch of history ...
This stunningly elegant Portuguese Renaissance laça bow-knot pendent is bejewelled with 46 rare table cut rose cut eye-catching diamonds as well as a magnificent solitary high domed rose cut diamond. Being superbly crafted in rich 18k warm yellow gold this pendent was undoubtedly initially crafted for high class nobility. A classic antique diamond clip brooch of such beauty should be worn with pride. It is in first-rate condition - circa 1650.
This piece has to be worn on a short ribbon around the neck.
Antique jewelry object group: pendant
Condition: extremely good condition
- (more info on our condition scale)
Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Portuguese origin.
Style: Renaissance - The Renaissance (Italian: Rinascimento, from ri- "again" and nascere "be born") was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Florence in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historic era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not uniform across Europe, this is a general use of the term. As a cultural movement, it encompassed a resurgence of learning based on classical sources, the development of linear perspective in painting, and gradual but widespread educational reform. Traditionally, this intellectual transformation has resulted in the Renaissance being viewed as a bridge between the Middle Ages and the Modern era. Although the Renaissance saw revolutions in many intellectual pursuits, as well as social and political upheaval, it is perhaps best known for its artistic developments and the contributions of such polymaths as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who inspired the term "Renaissance man".
- See also: Renaissance or more info on styles
Style specifics: Typically Portuguese 17th Century
Period: ca. 1650
- (events and facts in 1650)
Source of inspiration: One may note the inspiration of a textile bow, the maker of this object had to make it into a bejewelled bow, revealed by very fine lace copied on to the precious metal on the top outlines of two loops. Bow jewelry, the style of jewel of gold and diamonds which originated from the bows and ribbons worn on garments, was a very sophisticated and popular source of inspiration in Portuguese jewelry.
Theme: Cross - The cross is one of the most ancient human symbols, and is used by many religions, such as Christianity. It is frequently a representation of the division of the world into four elements (or cardinal points), or alternately as the union of the concepts of divinity, the vertical line, and the world, the horizontal line. (from: Wikipedia)
Material: warm yellow gold 18K (and most likely of a higher alloy)
- (more info on precious metals)
Technique: The rose cuts are set on foil. This is a special technique that was used to bring the lustre of the diamonds to its best quality.
Diamonds: No less than 46 (!) table cut rose cut diamonds and one high domed rose cut diamond . We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.
Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
- (more info on birthstones)
More background information on: renaissance,
Hallmarks: No trace.
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Dimensions: height 8.10 cm (3.19 inch), width 4.00 cm (1.57 inch)
Weight: 29.60 gram (19.03 dwt)
