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from the archive
Early Victorian Gemstone Pansy Necklace
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This early Victorian pendant is fashioned in she shape of a pansy with pale amethyst and citrine petals, an aquamarine ovule, and an emerald punctuating the leaves. The name “pansy” derives from the French word “pensee” which means “thought.” Ever big on subtlety, the Victorians devised an entire symbolic language of flowers to express hidden thoughts and feelings. For example, a Victorian gentleman could express that he was thinking of his love by presenting her with a pansy - and she would understand what that meant! (Giving a pansy to a gentleman was considered bad luck). In fact, the pansy was considered to have magical love-inducing powers. The Celts and Ancient Greeks used the juice of a pansy as a love potion, and this floral elixir of amore even makes an appearance in A Midsummer Nights Dream.

thedetails

  • Materials

    14k gold (tests), 2 8mm x 6.1mm pear cut amethysts, 3 pear cut citrines (2 8.3mm x 5.7mm citrines, 1 10.5mm x 8.2mm), 2.5mm aquamarine, 2.7mm emerald, new 14k gold chain

  • Age

    c. 1840

  • Condition

    Very good - likely converted from a brooch into a pendant

  • Size

    1 1/2" x 3/4" pendant, 18" chain

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Victorian

Aboutthe

VictorianEra

18371901

please note:Terms of Sale

Antiques can be returned unworn and in original condition within 10 days of delivery for an exchange or refund minus the cost of shipping. Once a piece has been altered, including ring re-sizing, it is FINAL SALE.

RelatedHistory Lesson

Floriography: The Secret Language of Flowers

Floriography allowed the Victorians to communicate their desires without saying anything at all.

RelatedHistory Lesson

Pansies:Think of Me

Anthropomorphic, wild, and adorable, pansies were jubilantly translated into jewelry throughout the Victorian era.