RENAISSANCE REVIVAL GARNET, CHRYSOBERYL AND ENAMEL HOLBEINESQUE PENDANT, CIRCA 1870.

Centred by a collet-set oval cabochon garnet, within a stylised champlevé enamel surround punctuated by six cushion-shaped chrysoberyls, terminating in a lozenge-shaped drop pavé-set with four square-cut chrysoberyls, the reverse engraved with foliate detail and centred by a locket compartment engraved with a range of names and dates, tested as 18kt gold

Why we are obsessed 

This is a perfect example of beautifully crafted Renaissance revival jewellery. Such designs were inspired by the art of Hans Holbein the Younger, and were often copied from jewellery depicted in Holbein's portraits of Tudor ladies from the court of Henry VIII. The revival pieces were more elaborate and less religious in theme than the originals and were worn as a status symbol by the Aristocracy to demonstrate their superior taste and connection with royal lineage of the past