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 Night’s 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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Aboutthe
VictorianEra
1837 — 1901
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.