January Jewel of the Month
As we start the New Year, Hancocks is leaping into January with this wonderful Victorian frog brooch/ pendant. The clever, convertible jewel was made circa 1890, the frog formed in silver on gold with gold feet and pavé set throughout with bright and lively old cut diamonds.
The central panel down its back is set with beautifully vibrant green demantoid garnets, the eyes highlighted with rubies and it has both a single pin brooch fitting on the reverse as well as a hinged drop down loop behind the head. This can be folded out of sight when the piece is being worn as a brooch or lifted up and used as a pendant loop to allow the frog to be worn as a necklace. At almost 2” long, this characterful frog would make a wonderful statement piece pinned somewhere he can be widely admired. The frog has been made with great attention to detail such as the outer edges of the metal which have all been given a textured finish to imitate the appearance of the amphibian’s skin. The ruby eyes pop with a rich deep red flash and if you look carefully, you can see it has a curving mouth which looks like it could open any second ready to catch an unsuspecting insect for lunch!
Guy Burton, Director, Hancocks London, comments: “Frogs have been used as a decorative symbol throughout history and across many cultures, symbolising a variety of meanings from good luck to new life and fertility, wealth and abundance or power and knowledge. “During the 19th century, and in particular the mid-late Victorian era, a love of and fascination with the natural world was widespread. In a period now renowned for its sentimentalism, it is unsurprising that symbolism and meaning was attached to flora and fauna great and small. Alongside this, the Victorians were also rather fond of a novelty jewel and so we often find insects and small creatures like frogs – not always the most well loved of creatures – brought to life in splendid and vivid jewelled items from brooches and hair ornaments to necklaces and earrings.”
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