Sumptuous Portuguese c18th flower pendant set with rock crystal c.1770.
The stones are calibré cut and foiled in a rich apricot foil, set in deeply domed silver settings.All stones original and in good condition.
These ‘flowers’ were worn as aigrettes in the high hair styles so fashionable in the second half of the c18th, often on trembling coiled springs. Usually set with topaz, ‘minas novas’, quartz or beryl, the blooms resemble dahlias, carnations and pansies. For the fullest collection see The National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon.
This particular flower has now been converted to a pendant with a fixed silver bale.
1 inch diameter.1.25 inch length with bale. 6.95 grams.