Georgian Goldstone Urn Charm

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Georgian Goldstone Urn Charm

$700.00

Description

DATE: Georgian, c.1800

Splendid Georgian urn charm dating from the turn of the 19th century. The body and lid are made from goldstone - aka monkstone or aventurine glass - with pinchbeck fittings and chain. The lid can be opened to store a small keepsake or memento.

Goldstone is a kind of glittering, man-made glass that has come to be used in jewellery as a semiprecious stone. The first documented manufacturing process for goldstone was in 17th century Venice, invented by the Miotti family who were eventually granted an exclusive production license by the Doge. A goldstone amulet from 12th to 13th century Persia, in the collection of the University of Pennsylvania, shows that artisans in the Middle East were able to create the material centuries earlier. The shimmering, glittery effect is produced by tiny crystals of metallic copper suspended in the glass.

STONES

Goldstone

MEASUREMENTS

4.2 x 2.3 x 1.8cm (including chain)

WEIGHT

6.5g

MARKS

No marks present, tests as pinchbeck

CONDITION

Very good, evidence of an old repair to one end of the chain