This spooky Essex crystal stickpin depicts a skull. Originally, this stickpin would have been worn by a gentleman in his cravat, the predecessor of the necktie.
Essex crystals were invented in the mid-19th Century and were all the rage up until the early 20th Century. The incredibly difficult and time-consuming process of creating them means that they are rare to find and therefore very collectible today.
The term 'Essex crystal' is used for a cabochon-cut rock crystal with a design carved into the back of the crystal. The miniature image on the inside is then painted, which gives a beautiful three-dimensional effect when viewed through the front of the crystal. Often, an Essex crystal is backed by a mother-of-pearl plaque but in this case, the crystal was placed in an open setting, so that the back can be admired too.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: The pin measures 8.8 cm long; the Essex crystal has a 17 mm diameter.
Weight: 5.75 grams.
Age: 19th Century, circa 1870s.
Material: Hallmarked with a Belgian horse head hallmark for 18k gold, used between 1831 and 1939.
Condition: In good antique condition with only minor wear, consistent with age. There is some paint loss at the eyes and nose of the skull, though this may have been done intentionally.
Please note that the antique box is for display purposes only. This shop is based in the EU. Although antiques are exempt from taxes in most countries, buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import duties.