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Antique Victorian Suffragette Pendant Necklace c 1900 browse these categories for related items... All Items: Archives: Estate Jewelry: Costume: Rhinestone: Pre 1900: item # 647583 GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear 56 Calle Monte Aplanado, NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 Phone: 505.205.1404 Guest Book Sold; thank you! |
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This exciting antique Suffragette necklace features a spectacular array of fancy-cut art glass stones that glow like fine jade in rich green, marbled with white. The heart-shaped upper part of the articulated pendant holds an oval cabochon, while the lower part features three teardrop cabochons surrounding a multi-faceted pyramid and has accents of faux amethyst and pearl at the outer edges of each heart-shaped "petal". Based on their quality, these stones must be Bohemian, and I expect the whole necklace was crafted there, since the ornate gilt metalwork is also typically Austro-Hungarian. Each part of the pendant is domed and lavished with curvy Art Nouveau scrollwork, and the lovely links of the chain are finely detailed, too, as is the box clasp, which has floral patterning and cutouts. Being a Suffragette jewel, as indicated by the colors, it would have been made for export to England or the U.S. As you know if you collect jewelry of this type, the unusual color combination had great meaning for early feminists. Green represented hope, purple signified dignity and white stood for purity. The language we associate with "regard" jewelry applied, too: The "G" of green, "W" of white and "V" of violet comprised an abbreviation for Give Women (the) Vote. All this seems cryptic now, but was clearly understood by everyone in an era when messages were also communicated by which flowers you sent, how you held your fan and which corner of a calling card you folded down, if any. To the Suffragettes' efforts through many decades in the U.K. and U.S., we modern women owe our right to vote. That right was finally extended to all American women in 1920 and to all in Great Britain in 1928. Although forgotten for many years, these jewels have been rapidly gaining value since the star-studded TV movie "Iron Jawed Angels" appeared in 2004, revealing what the gals went through (including hunger strikes and beatings). Wearing Suffragette jewels is a great way to show your pride and appreciation and, now that the genre has been rediscovered, they're getting much harder to find. We're very fortunate in being able to offer you this splendid piece from a Minnesota estate. It was certainly a jewel prized by its first owner and it's been equally cherished by her heirs. Every bit of the necklace is obviously original and it's in wonderful condition. Minor wear to the gilt and stones is evident only under magnification. Length is 16 inches, plus about 2.5 inches for the pendant. Its elaborately jeweled lower element is quite large: about 1.5 inches round. Most likely dating is circa 1895 - 1905, although it could be a bit earlier. There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail erinharris@comcast.net to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking! |
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