A beautiful antique diamond swallow, originally made as a brooch and sympathetically converted into a pendant with newly added 18ct gold bails.
The bird is depicted in flight with outstretched wings, its body and feathers set with antique diamonds in a silver front over a 9ct gold reverse. The silver has retained a wonderful natural dark patina around the settings, creating gorgeous definition and contrast against the sparkle of the diamonds. This silver-topped gold construction was widely used in diamond jewellery during the late Victorian and early Edwardian periods, before platinum became the predominant white metal for fine jewellery, and together with the naturalistic swallow motif suggests a date of approximately c.1890-1910. A British origin is also likely, although in the absence of hallmarks this cannot be confirmed.
Swallows were a popular motif in Victorian and Edwardian jewellery, traditionally symbolising love, loyalty, homecoming and safe return.
Petite but full of personality, this little bird looks fabulous suspended from a chunky antique chain or dog clip, while its size also makes it perfect for layering with other antique charms and pendants.
