Victorian 18k gold Essex crystal buttons set
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1885
This set of Victorian-era Essex crystal buttons is housed in its original fitted presentation case. The collection comprises multiple round button pieces, each featuring reverse-intaglio rock crystal cabochons—a signature technique of Essex crystal jewelry where images are carved into the underside of the crystal and meticulously hand-painted to create a lifelike, three-dimensional effect.
Each piece is set within an 18-karat gold standard frame, exhibiting fine craftsmanship and attention to detail characteristic of late 19th-century accessories. The motifs depicted within the crystals feature various animal subjects, including dogs. The buttons vary in size, with diameters ranging from 15.6 mm to 22.3 mm. The set also includes an associated brooch component, all presented within the original velvet-lined box.
These pieces reflect the high-quality decorative arts of the 1885 period, blending precious metalwork with the intricate artistic glass-cutting techniques popular among the elite during the Victorian era.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Diameter
- 15.6-22.3 mm
- Material
- 18k gold, rock crystal
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Essex crystal reverse-intaglio
Design
- Motifs
- Animal subjects including dogs
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.