Antique Diamond Star Pendant-Brooch with Diamonds in Silver on Gold, c. 1880s

One of the most popular jewellery motifs of the 19th century was the diamond-studded star - and not without reason. On the one hand, these pieces of jewelry illustrate the enthusiasm for the Orient in those years with a preference for foreign cultures. On the other hand, the enthusiasm for star motifs was due to the Empress of Austria, who introduced the diamond star motif to Viennese society and made it into immortal classics of jewelry history to this day. Probably the most famous portrait of Sisi, painted by Franz Xaver Winterhalter, shows the young empress with a multitude of radiant diamond stars in her flowing dark hair, which were made especially for her by the Viennese court jeweler A.E. Köchert. After this portrait became known, there was no stopping the ladies of Viennese society. Every woman who could afford it wanted to come into possession of at least one precious star set with diamonds. We are looking at one such piece from the end of the 19th century. It is a twelve-pointed star with a beautiful old-cut diamond in the center, while the rays are set with a further 24 old-cut diamonds and 18 rose-cut diamonds. As this piece of jewelry dates from an era when white gold had not yet been invented and platinum was known but not yet satisfactorily processed, the diamonds are set in silver. The back of the brooch, however, is made of high-carat gold. The piece can be worn as a brooch, but a concealed eyelet also allows it to be worn on a chain - the pin can simply be unscrewed for this purpose. Today, as it did over 135 years ago, the diamond star brings great joy and is waiting for a wearer to let it shine again!

Estimate:£7,627.88

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