DATE: Victorian, c.1880

A beautiful antique pendant, modelled as a bell and set with six tiny Essex Crystal lucky charms. The bell is carved from a single piece of rose quartz, and the clapper is a little pearl. Likely of French origin, the piece dates to the late 19th Century.

It was probably given as a wedding gift (think wedding bells), meant to offer good luck to the bride and groom. The Essex Crystals each depict a lucky symbol: two are Mushrooms, two Ladybirds, a Lucky Pig, and a Chimney Sweep. There has been a tradition, in England, since Georgian times to invite a chimney sweep to your wedding for good luck - indeed when Queen Elizabeth II married Prince Philip a chimney sweep was ushered into Buckingham Palace and the Prince was seen to shake his hand. Strange, but true.

STONES

Natural Rose Quartz - Essex Crystal lucky charms - natural Pearl drop

MEASUREMENTS

2.1 x 1.5cm (height by width at widest point of base)

WEIGHT

3.8g

MARKS

No marks present, fittings test as 14k gold

CONDITION

Excellent