A VICTORIAN GARNET, GOLD AND ENAMEL BROOCH LOCKET, CIRCA 186...

Estimate

£600 - £800

A VICTORIAN GARNET, GOLD AND ENAMEL BROOCH LOCKET, CIRCA 1860-70, the oval cabochon-cut garnet in collet mount above a rope-work border, the oval mount inset with six pearls, the border wth black enamel decoration. Locket Reverse
Brooch pin fitting
The reverse engraved "? Ann Sherriff Married to John Bird Jan 12th 1864'
5.7cm x 4cm
Total weight 24.4gms

Note
A garnet and gold bracelet by T & J Bragg & Co showing the same enamel decoration is on display at the Victorian & Albert Museum in London. A collection of jewellery by T & J Bragg was purchased by the authorities at the South Kensington Museum around 1871. The purpose of the purchase was to distinguish between imitation and inexpensive jewellery at the time, as 9 carat gold had become acceptable in jewellery design but many still associated the use of 9 carat gold with inferior jewellery produced in Birmingham which had been given the name 'Brumagem'. 

For T & J Bragg of Birmingham this was a turning point. They were ranked with London maker’s by ‘The Art Journal’, who said ‘their contribution should forever stamp out the notion that Birmingham produces only cheap and bad jewellery’

T & J Bragg were noted as exhibitors at the International Exhibition of 1862, and the International Health Exhibition of 1884. By 1916 the firm was absorbed into Fattorini & Sons of Bradford, Birmingham and London.

More Information

Garnet measures 21mm x 13mm with natural inclusions and very light scratching which do not impair the stone
Pearls measure approximately 4.5mm and are well matched with bright lustre
Enamel has some small areas of wear including some which expose the underlying gold work.
Long eye visible scratch directly through center of reverse panel.
Brooch pin has been replaced in a different position obscuring the first word of the engraving
Clasp and safety chain in good working order