Victorian Essex crystal buttons and brooch set in 18k gold
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1885
This is a collectible set of Victorian-era buttons and a matching brooch, featuring the distinctive Essex crystal technique. Essex crystal involves a reverse intaglio carving into a rock crystal cabochon, which is then painted to create a lifelike, three-dimensional image when viewed from the front.
The subjects depicted in this collection include various animal motifs. The components are crafted from 18-carat (18CT) gold and exhibit fine workmanship characteristic of high-quality late 19th-century jewelry. The pieces are presented in their original fitted display case, which is lined with velvet. The diameters of the items range from 15.6 mm to 22.3 mm.The gold settings provide a warm, durable frame for the delicate crystal cabochons, which are further accented with blue enamel borders.
The set remains a well-preserved example of luxury haberdashery and decorative adornment from the 1885 period.
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
- Material
- 18k gold, crystal, enamel
- Diameter range
- 15.6-22.3 mm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Essex crystal (reverse intaglio)
Design
- Motifs
- animal portraits
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.