Luscious hues, classically wearable yet au currant (just view almost any image of Vogue’s head, Dame Anna Wintour), this circa 1810 demi-parure of garnets remains at the pinnacle of desirability.
A rivière necklace, earrings, and matching garnet brooch radiate with saturated shimmer. Often termed Perpignan garnets, their luscious colors shift from wine red to plum with deep purple touches.
As a rivière necklace, it is arranged in a series of graduated gems from approximately 12 mm east to west by 9 mm. Set within 9k rose gold crimped collet mounts, each is foiled and closed backed. Rose gold was often utilized for garnets during this era.
All the natural gemstones are termed “flat cut”. As its name implies, they display a level face with just the edges faceted. Due to their foiling, they reflect light and possess bright and distinct fuchsia highlights.
In a circular style, the small brooch is composed of five garnets. Each earring holds two, one that is dangling, with a gold length between.
The box is original to the period, in that distinctive red with three hook closures. The lid interior has been refitted and is stamped in gold leaf, William Bruford & Son, 100 Terminus Road, Eastbourne (England). The set and box are clearly from 1810, and W. Bruford was est. in 1886.
