Most people are aware that garnets come in a lovely deep rich burgundy-red colour, however many are surprised to learn that garnets come in a range of colours from purple, orange to the rarest of them all, the green demantoid garnet as can be seen here in this gorgeous lily brooch.
Made by the early Australian company Willis & Sons around 1900, the brooch was made in 15 carat gold and measures 45.4mm across by 13mm.
The history of the Lily Of The Valley brooch goes as far back as the 16th Century when King Charles IX of France gave the actual flower as a good luck charm and has remained a popular design of jewellery ever since.
Set with four demantoid garnets in each "flower", the brooch is also highlighted by seed pearls that adds even more charm and character to an already very sweet and charming brooch.
So elegant and refined, this brooch is the perfect accessory to sit so gracefully on any outfit where it will always be admired for its simplicity and elegance.
Stock# ES9624
Maker: Willis & Sons
Circa: 1900
$Sold.
Out of stock
Antique demantoid garnet Lily Of The Valley brooch
This antique Lily of The Valley demantoid garnet brooch was made by the early Australian jewellery company, Willis and Sons.
In the 1560's, King Charles IX of France started the tradition of giving the actual flower of lily of the valley as a good luck charm. This popular and charming design has remained in vogue all the way from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian era's.
A brief history about Willis and Sons:
Willis and Sons were first established in 1858 by Richard and Thomas Willis, who were jewellery importers and wholesalers. They imported clocks, silver and electro-plated pieces as well making a name for themselves as a leading manufacturer of jewellery. There jewellery often reflected the native Australian flora and fauna with brooches often being in the form of a boomerang often with an Australian animal for example. By the turn of the century the firm had become Australia’s leading gold jewellery manufacturer and after 1931 continued just as importers after closing the manufacturing side of the business down. Their jewellery is hallmarked with the gold carat and mark as well as their own registered mark of a unicorn.
Garnets come in a range of colours from the commonly seen burgundy-red through to orange and the rarest of them all, the green demantoid garnet. While there is another green garnet, the tsavorite garnet which is also spectacular, the demantoid garnet is the most rare and highly prized.
Click here to see more antique Australian jewellery that is currently for sale:
https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product-category/antique/antique-australian-jewellery/
Click here to see a small selection of antique brooches that are currently in store:
https://www.kalmarantiques.com.au/product-category/antique/antique-brooch-antique/
