Edwardian Silver & Paste Giardinetti Pendant With Pearl Drop

A “Giardinetti” (“little gardens”) pendant. From the late 17th century onwards the Italian word was applied to describe articles of jewellery, rings or brooches mainly, with an intricate, openwork floral motif, consisting of various gems set in designs resembling flowers and often arranged in vases or baskets. This silverA metallic element which is malleable and ductile, and white in colour, making it ideal for use in jewellery. It is usually mixed with copper to improve its hardness.
pendant is a lovely example and has been set with coloured pastes with a pear shaped baroque pearlNatural pearls are an organic gem formed inside live mollusc shells and come in all shapes and sizes. They are formed as the result of a natural irritant within the mollusc’s mantle and as a defence, layers of iridescent nacre form over the top of it, creating a pearl.  drop. It was made circa 1910.
We have a few of these Giardinetti brooches and pendants in stock as they came from a private collection. Each one is slightly different so take your pick!