Featured Origin and Year?

Hi guys,

Trying to find out about this antique 14/15kt coral pendant.

Is it Arabic in origin? Era early to mid 1800's ?

Regards

 

Dutch! Extremely Dutch! Could not be more Dutch if it tried!
Being Dutch, these are always 14k or higher, set with Mediterranean red coral. There is probably a tiny mark on the bail. I'd love to see that, it could help in dating this lovely.
I have several very Dutch friends for it, including these rings:

 

Oh, Great! Mid 1800's?

 

I don't have it at hand right now. I'll have a look later. It's my first time seeing this Dutch jewellery. Thanks!

 

Dating these is difficult, they are still being made. The coral certainly looks old, but I'd have to see more pictures, side view, the back, and the mark, if there is one.

 

I thought 1850's...

 

Could even be slightly older. Could you take a picture of just the mark?
It looks like a lion's head, which is the assay office mark (a real hallmark). It looks like the one on the left. The letters are for the different assay offices, I expect to see an L on yours. L is for Middelburg, the most likely candidate in this case.


Nothing on the bail?

 

This belongs to a friend. I initially suggested 1820 to 1830 but he was adamant it was 1850. Thanks for your help. I'm going with your suggestion

 

My thought was ca 1840, but 1850 is fine. Seeing a maker's mark could help. If it is in my books, that is.
It is likely to be from either the province of Zeeland, or the province of Zuid Holland (South Holland), both coastal provinces in the Netherlands. I was wondering about the assay office letter, because that would determine the exact province. L is for Middelburg, capital of Zeeland.

 

I'll get back to you...

 

I don't have the best editing software so this isn't much help but I didn't even see the lion at first

 

It is of help, it confirms the lion's head, blurry though it may be. The alternative would be a lion rampant, the gold fineness mark for 14k, which this isn't.
But alas, no definable assay office letter. I hope the owner will take a clear picture of the mark.

 

Don't have it at hand until later in the week.
So what K is this? The owner presumed it was 14k. I'm also very interested in knowing this.

 

You can't tell from the assay office mark. That mark only means the item has been tested and officially recognized as gold, which in the Netherlands is 14-22k. That means that it is at least 14k.

 

Interestingly enough, it DOES look like there is a "K" UNDERNEATH the head outside of the outlines of the lion! Could also be just my eyes doing things too!!!!

 

I see what you mean, but I think it is just a few scratches which happen to look like a K.

 

You do realize this started out as a pin and has been made into a pendant?
If your friend is going to sell it, that will affect the value.

 

good call....

 

Not uncommon in antique Dutch regional jewellery, it wouldn't be much of a problem overhere. And if our Dutch American buyers are anything to go by, it won't be much of a problem with them either.