Edwardian Ribbon Bow Pendant
An edwardian ribbon bow pendant captures the delicate, lace-like elegance of early twentieth-century jewellery, offering a romantic centrepiece for any collection.
Edwardian Ribbon Bow Pendant
When you search for an edwardian ribbon bow pendant, you are looking at delicate dress jewellery designed to mimic fluttering fabric knots and looped ribbons in precious metals. These pieces frequently appear combined with drop pendants, lockets, or heart motifs suspended beneath the central bow.
The versions you are most likely to meet on this page span the Edwardian era and the late Victorian period, often crossing over into convertible brooch-and-pendant formats. They range from modest silver and paste creations to substantial platinum and gold mountings set with diamonds and sapphires.
Materials and construction
Jewellers of this period frequently employed a clever dual-metal technique, topping a solid gold or brass base with a bright layer of silver on the face to make diamonds sparkle more intensely against the dark metal. Platinum also emerges strongly in this era, allowing for knife-edge settings that held stones securely with minimal visible metal.
Gemstones such as old-cut diamonds, rubies, and sapphires are bead-set or flush-set into the intricate ribbon folds, accompanied occasionally by natural pearls and paste glass for accessible brilliance. Enamel work and turquoise additions also appear on pieces touching upon Victorian Scottish Revival and late nineteenth-century styles.
Edwardian Ribbon Bow Pendant Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for edwardian ribbon bow pendant among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature items spanning the Victorian, 1880, and Edwardian periods, constructed in silver, gold, platinum, and paste.
Assessing quality in bow jewellery
Quality rests heavily on the crispness of the piercing and the fluidity of the metal ribbon work, where superior examples exhibit naturalistic folds rather than stiff, geometric stampings. The graduation and matching of old-cut diamonds or calibré-cut rubies further separate standard production pieces from masterwork commissions.
The integration of the suspension loop and any secondary drop reveals the maker's hand; finer items ensure the articulated joints move freely without looseness, and use robust pin stems or secure bale attachments that integrate seamlessly into the bow design.
The Edwardian Ribbon Bow Pendant Glossary
- Old cut
- A diamond cutting style characterised by a small table, high crown, and a large culet, designed to catch candlelight rather than harsh modern electric illumination.
- Paste glass
- Hand-cut and polished lead glass used to imitate precious gemstones, highly valued in antique pieces for its deep lustre and historical craftsmanship.
- Platinum
- A dense, strong precious metal introduced into fine jewellery making during the Edwardian period, prized for its ability to hold delicate gemstone settings.
- Silver gilt
- Sterling silver that has been coated with a thin layer of gold, combining the bright appearance of gold with a silver base.
- Brooch conversion
- An antique brooch that has been fitted with a loop or bale to allow suspension on a chain as a pendant, a common practice in historic jewellery.
Edwardian Ribbon Bow Pendant: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wear a convertible pendant?
Many Edwardian bow pieces feature a hidden or fold-down pin alongside a suspension loop at the back, allowing the wearer to transition easily between pinning the jewel to a lapel or hanging it from a delicate chain.
When wearing as a pendant, ensure the chain weight matches the heft of the bow so the piece hangs evenly without tipping forward.
Are these diamonds real?
The diamonds found in these pieces are genuine mined stones, typically cut in the old European or mine-cut styles typical of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Alongside diamonds, jewellers occasionally utilised high-quality paste glass for colourful accents or accessible sparkle, which is duly noted in item descriptions.
How should I clean my pendant?
Historic jewellery requires gentle care, avoiding harsh ultrasonic cleaners that can dislodge foil-backed stones or damage delicate pearl settings.
Use a soft brush with warm soapy water to clear dust from behind the stones, drying the metal thoroughly with a lint-free cloth afterwards.
Can I replace a missing stone?
Sourcing period-appropriate replacement stones, particularly matching old-cut diamonds or antique paste, is possible through specialist antique jewellery restorers.
Any intervention should be handled by a professional familiar with Edwardian claw and bezel settings to preserve the structural integrity of the delicate platinum or gold ribbon work.