Gold and pearl "Stuart crystal" love token/slide England, late...
Gold and pearl "Stuart crystal" love token/slide
England, late 17th century
Of oval form, with two applied gold cherubs holding aloft a flaming heart, above gold wire cipher, "M," all against hairwork ground, all under faceted rock crystal, with seed pearl surround, reverse engraved with flowers and scrolls with loop attachments, seemingly unmarked.
L: 1 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE:
The Collection of Irvin & Anita Schorsch.
Mrs. Halpin, March 14, 1994. Likely Raizel Halpin (1925-2003), a partner in Ares Antiques, dealers in rare jewelry on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, New York.
The term "Stuart crystal" originally referred to the rock crystal jewelry clandestinely worn by Royalists (those loyal to the Stuart monarchy) in reaction to the execution of King Charles I in 1649. Typically featuring a miniature portrait or the cipher of the slain King under faceted rock crystal, these early Stuart crystal tokens were undoubtedly political in origin. The restoration of the Monarchy, which began in 1660, ushered in a shift whereby Stuart crystals were fashioned and worn publicly and for much more personal reasons: in honor of living loved ones, in memory of those who had passed, or as Memento Mori--as a reminder of one's own ephemerality.
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Gold and pearl "Stuart crystal" love token/slide
England, late 17th century
Of oval form, with two applied gold cherubs holding aloft a flaming heart, above gold wire cipher, "M," all against hairwork ground, all under faceted rock crystal, with seed pearl surround, reverse engraved with flowers and scrolls with loop attachments, seemingly unmarked.
L: 1 1/8 in.
PROVENANCE:
The Collection of Irvin & Anita Schorsch.
Mrs. Halpin, March 14, 1994. Likely Raizel Halpin (1925-2003), a partner in Ares Antiques, dealers in rare jewelry on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, New York.
The term "Stuart crystal" originally referred to the rock crystal jewelry clandestinely worn by Royalists (those loyal to the Stuart monarchy) in reaction to the execution of King Charles I in 1649. Typically featuring a miniature portrait or the cipher of the slain King under faceted rock crystal, these early Stuart crystal tokens were undoubtedly political in origin. The restoration of the Monarchy, which began in 1660, ushered in a shift whereby Stuart crystals were fashioned and worn publicly and for much more personal reasons: in honor of living loved ones, in memory of those who had passed, or as Memento Mori--as a reminder of one's own ephemerality.
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Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
