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- (SOLD) Antique Victorian Saint Esprit (Dove) Brooch Pavé Set with Turquoise
(SOLD) Antique Victorian Saint Esprit (Dove) Brooch Pavé Set with Turquoise
![fullsizeoutput_12d13.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e135fa2b705df63ba045afe/1612022359007-9NC0YZDDP3OCSNJMX7PQ/fullsizeoutput_12d13.jpg)
![fullsizeoutput_12d15.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e135fa2b705df63ba045afe/1612022101467-KL3NECVAGU2BQ95W29MS/fullsizeoutput_12d15.jpeg)
![fullsizeoutput_12d17.jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e135fa2b705df63ba045afe/1612022102511-XZWUICYU63QZCCO39AU5/fullsizeoutput_12d17.jpeg)
![IMG_3206.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e135fa2b705df63ba045afe/1611411022775-SQ89E0EPID513JKWKJQO/IMG_3206.jpg)
(SOLD) Antique Victorian Saint Esprit (Dove) Brooch Pavé Set with Turquoise
This is a marvelous, circa 1840s early Victorian brooch, modeled as a Saint Esprit dove, pavé-set with natural turquoise cabochons and garnet eyes. A turquoise-set heart pendant dangles from the beak of the dove, with a glass-backed locket containing what appears to be a lot of hair inside. The reverse of the dove is beautifully dimensional and finished, with engraved feather details. Such a sentimental piece — with the dove representing peace (or the Holy Spirit in Christian iconography) and the heart representing love.
A similar example is in the collection of the British Museum. Search Museum Number 1978,1002.380 on its website, and while you’re there, search for the turquoise-set Coburg eagle brooch that Queen Victoria presented to her train bearers for the occasion of her wedding to her beloved Prince Albert in 1840 — sparking a “trend” for turquoise-set bird brooches such as this Saint Esprit example.
Unmarked.
14k gold, silver, turquoise, garnet.
Dimensions and weight:
● 40 mm long
● 42 mm wide
● 7 mm deep
● 12.4 grams
Period: Victorian
*Please note that all dimensions and weights are approximate. Age-commensurate wear may be present.
*For deliveries outside of the continental U.S., please contact us for shipping information.
This is a marvelous, circa 1840s early Victorian brooch, modeled as a Saint Esprit dove, pavé-set with natural turquoise cabochons and garnet eyes. A turquoise-set heart pendant dangles from the beak of the dove, with a glass-backed locket containing what appears to be a lot of hair inside. The reverse of the dove is beautifully dimensional and finished, with engraved feather details. Such a sentimental piece — with the dove representing peace (or the Holy Spirit in Christian iconography) and the heart representing love.
A similar example is in the collection of the British Museum. Search Museum Number 1978,1002.380 on its website, and while you’re there, search for the turquoise-set Coburg eagle brooch that Queen Victoria presented to her train bearers for the occasion of her wedding to her beloved Prince Albert in 1840 — sparking a “trend” for turquoise-set bird brooches such as this Saint Esprit example.
Unmarked.
14k gold, silver, turquoise, garnet.
Dimensions and weight:
● 40 mm long
● 42 mm wide
● 7 mm deep
● 12.4 grams
Period: Victorian
*Please note that all dimensions and weights are approximate. Age-commensurate wear may be present.
*For deliveries outside of the continental U.S., please contact us for shipping information.