SOLD Stunning Antique Scottish Pebble Brooch Large Saltire Cross and Crown 2" C.1870

SOLD SOLD

Stunning Antique Agate Pebble Brooch
Wow, this is a beauty and a fabulous size at just over 2" high by just under 2" wide. Set in Silver this Saltire or Scottish Cross of St Andrews is set with two wonderful slices of Motrose "lacy Grey" Agate adjacent to two of red Jasper. In the centre there is a beautifully hand engraved silver Crown set with real garnet cabochons.
This substantial and heavy example dates to around the 1870's and is in perfect condition. It would be a fabulous addition to any collection.
These wonderful brooches make an excellent gift for anyone with Scottish heritage and can be worn with traditional Highland Dress or just to fasten a Pashmina on the shoulder.
I supply to some of the most avid collectors worldwide and spend a great deal of time searching out unique and different pieces all over the UK.

Measurements: 5.5cm (just under 2 1/4") High x 4.8cm (just over 1 3/4") Weight: 20.6g

M886/399EB
About Victorian Scottish Agate

Scottish Agate or Pebble Jewellery was made popular by Queen Victoria. When she travelled to the Highlands with Prince Albert she fell in love with the dramatic landscape and went on to purchase Balmoral. Prince Albert found some pebbles on the side of the River Dee and had them polished and made into Jewellery for Victoria. When the London papers reported that the couple were wearing "polished pebble brooches made from local stones" just as it does it set a trend that would last for decades and even spread to Europe. Scottish Jewellers and Lapidaries could not keep up with demand when at it's height and manufacture spread to Birmingham, London and even Europe. Idar-Oberstein in Germany was one of the largest stone cutting centres in the world and many stones other than agates were imported and cut there to satify demand - Brazillian Green Malachite for instance, was prized and in demand.

Written examples of this sweeping fashion are to be seen in the novel written by Elizabeth Gaskell in her novel Cranford (1851) set in the Cheshire village of Knutsford where one of the characters - Miss Pole was wearing no less than 7 Scottish pebble brooches!
If you are interested in Scottish Agate Jewellery I can really recommend Scottish Jewellery - A Victorian Passion by Diana Scarisbrick it is a beautiful coffee table book full of fabulous quality pictures and packed with information. I have supplied to one or two collectors who helped to form this super publication.