What periods do these pieces date from?

The pieces span from the Georgian era through the Victorian and Edwardian periods up to the Art Deco designs of the 1930s. The selection reflects changing French tastes across more than a century of jewellery manufacturing. Most items cluster around the late nineteenth century and the early decades of the twentieth century, encompassing Belle Epoque and Art Nouveau movements.

How were religious medals worn?

Religious pendant medals depicting the Virgin Mary or holy chalices were typically suspended from gold chains as personal devotional items. They served as both spiritual talismans and decorative accessories for the wearer. Many incorporate mother-of-pearl backgrounds and seed pearl borders, elevating simple acts of faith into intricate wearable art.

What is a tussie mussie?

A tussie mussie, also known as a nosegay or posy holder, is a small decorative metal trumpet used to carry fresh flowers. These nineteenth-century pieces often combined ormolu frames with mother-of-pearl and turquoise. Ladies wore or carried them during social events to enjoy the scent of fresh blooms or to communicate through the language of flowers.

Are the pearls natural or cultured?

The listings feature both natural saltwater pearls and cultured pearls depending on the date of manufacture. Georgian and Victorian items generally feature natural seed or saltwater pearls. Later pieces from the 1930s occasionally incorporate cultured pearls alongside old-cut diamonds in white gold and platinum settings.

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Antique French Pearl Jewellery

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These antique french pearl jewellery pieces bring together delicate seed pearls, 18ct gold settings and religious iconography from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.