Antique Gold Enamel "Lover's Eye" Brooch

$6,450.00

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Antique Gold Enamel "Lover's Eye" Brooch

$6,450.00

Description

DATE: Miniature, c.1900 - Brooch, c.1820

A stunning antique brooch in the style of the Lover's Eye. Likely a combination of periods, the hand painted eye miniature dates from circa 1900 and has been meticulously completed in exquisite detail - it rests within a gold mount that features a gorgeous blue enamel border- that itself dates to the Georgian period.

Lover's Eye jewellery was a phenomenon that, supposedly, began in the late 18th Century when the Prince of Wales (soon to be Georgian IV of England) fell in love with Maria Fitzherbert. The romance was illicit on two counts, she was Catholic, and also twice widowed... Basically a no-go for the heir to the English throne... George courted Maria anyway, and gifted her a miniature portrait of his eye for her to wear - the idea being that she would be able to keep this intimate image of him close to her, but others would be unlikely to recognise the eye as his.

MEASUREMENTS

2.5 x 3.8cm

WEIGHT

8.7g

MARKS

No marks present, tests as 15k gold

CONDITION

Very good antique condition, features later added pendant loop