This portrait miniature was painted in the early 19th Century and depicts a young gentleman with reddish-blonde hair. In the background, you can see the ocean, with a boat on the horizon, which might point to him being a sailor.
The back of the pendant is decorated with an elaborate piece of hair work. It depicts kissing doves, one of which is perched on an altar. Next to this plinth is a burning torch, a sheath of arrows, and a shield with the initials 'GJ'. The hair work is encircled by an ouroboros, or a snake biting its own tale, which represents eternity. Since the hair colour matches that of the gentleman in the portrait, It is very likely that this hair was from the depicted gentleman, and that this pendant was worn by his wife, as a symbol of their eternal love and devotion.
Unfortunately, both the name of the sitter and the painter have been lost to history. Therefore we can only fantasize about who this person was, and who carried this pendant with them. The fact that it has survived for over two centuries in beautiful condition does tell us that it was a treasured jewel, which was likely passed down in the family for many generations.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 42 x 34 x 6 mm, excluding the jump ring.
Weight: 17.30 grams.
Age: 19th Century, also known as the Victorian era, circa 1850s.
Material: The pendant carries a Dutch hallmark for 18k gold, which was used between 1814 and 1905. It also carries a makers mark of a B crowned by a star, which is likely the mark of the goldsmith Jan Bertina Baptist, who operated in Amsterdam between 1835 and 1867.
Condition: In good antique condition, with only minor wear, consistent with its age.
Please note that this store is based in the EU. Buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import duties and VAT.
The back of the pendant is decorated with an elaborate piece of hair work. It depicts kissing doves, one of which is perched on an altar. Next to this plinth is a burning torch, a sheath of arrows, and a shield with the initials 'GJ'. The hair work is encircled by an ouroboros, or a snake biting its own tale, which represents eternity. Since the hair colour matches that of the gentleman in the portrait, It is very likely that this hair was from the depicted gentleman, and that this pendant was worn by his wife, as a symbol of their eternal love and devotion.
Unfortunately, both the name of the sitter and the painter have been lost to history. Therefore we can only fantasize about who this person was, and who carried this pendant with them. The fact that it has survived for over two centuries in beautiful condition does tell us that it was a treasured jewel, which was likely passed down in the family for many generations.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Size: 42 x 34 x 6 mm, excluding the jump ring.
Weight: 17.30 grams.
Age: 19th Century, also known as the Victorian era, circa 1850s.
Material: The pendant carries a Dutch hallmark for 18k gold, which was used between 1814 and 1905. It also carries a makers mark of a B crowned by a star, which is likely the mark of the goldsmith Jan Bertina Baptist, who operated in Amsterdam between 1835 and 1867.
Condition: In good antique condition, with only minor wear, consistent with its age.
Please note that this store is based in the EU. Buyers from outside the EU might be subject to import duties and VAT.