Description
Victorian 14k Gold Essex Crystal Terrier Dog Portrait Locket Pendant Rare The portrait is beautifully detailed. The locket is approx 45mm by 22mm Glass panel intact ...Testing panel/frame for gold content 13k-14k in different spots. Selling as min 13k Sold to me as 14k and testing as such. This is rose and yellow gold. Weight approx 12.1 grams Please look at all the pictures as they are part of the description. History: Essex crystal is the name for these pieces of jewelry. They are made of rock crystal. The rock crystal is first cut into a cabochon (flat back + rounded dome shaped top), then a detailed design is carved into the flat back. The carved-out design is painted and this painting seems to float, in three dimensions inside the crystal, when viewed from the front. This technique is called a “reverse carving.” Supposedly this art form began in Europe, possibly in Belgium. It is said that Thomas Cook first introduced the process to England during the 1860s and the finished crystals were initially sold by Hancocks in London. The name Essex crystal refers to a wrongful attribution of these masterful pieces to the then popular miniature painter William Essex, who specialized in enamel miniatures, a favorite of Queen Victoria.This jewelry has no relationship with Essex in England or the painter William Essex.