This Russian, 19th Century demi parure is still fitted in its original box! It consists of a pair of earrings and a brooch, which are made from malachite beads with 14k yellow gold fittings.
Malachite is a vivid green mineral which is composed of alternating bands of light and dark green and was most often sourced from Siberia, where it was found in abundance.
Unlike previous centuries, semi-precious gemstones such as agates, onyx and malachite, were much loved and appreciated in the second half of the 19th Century for their vivid colour and interesting color patterns.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: earrings: 46 x 22 mm.
Brooch: 58 x 70 mm.
Weight: The earrings have a combined weight of 8.40 grams.
The brooch weighs 31.11 grams.
Age: 19th Century, also known as the Victorian era, circa 1860s.
Material and hallmarks: Acid tested as 14k gold. The back of the brooch has the city hallmark for St. Peterburg, and a maker's mark which appears to read 'FM' and which I was not able to identify.
Condition: In fair antique condition with signs of wear, consistent with their age, and modern repairs.
The brooch is still in its original condition, but I needed to restore the earrings. In the past, they were fitted with clips, which I had removed, refitting them with fisher hooks like in the original design. The original drops had been replaced by a malachite imitation. I had these drilled out and new malachite drops created, based on the dimensions of the box, to regain the original look of the earrings.
The bar shaped tops of the earrings are both still original. One malachite in the tops of the earrings is chipped, the other was broken in the past and is glued together: this can be seen in the pictures.
Please note that this store 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.