ELIZABETH LOCKE Byzantine Revival Brooch In Hammered Solid 18Kt Yellow Gold
A Byzantine revival pendant-brooch designed by Elizabeth Locke
This a beautiful historical pendant-brooch created by the iconic jewelry designer of Elizabeth Locke, back in the 1990's. This artistic piece was masterfully crafted with Etruscan and Roman revival patterns in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with a delicate brushed and hammered finishes. The piece is embellished with a carved oval intaglio of Venetian glass, eight citrines and four white round pearls. The brooch is fitted at the reverse with a hinge double stick pin with a safety lock.
Elizabeth Locke
She was born in Staunton, Virginia, and she studied Italian literature, earning a master’s degree from the Università degli Studi di Firenze. Her childhood travels to Italy and exposure to classical heritage sparked her fascination with intricate micro mosaics, which would shape her creative vision forever. After working as an editor for Town & Country Magazine, an assignment in Bangkok introduced her to the craftsmanship of Thai goldsmiths. This experience led her to study gemology and launch her jewelry brand in 1988. Elizabeth Locke Jewels features handcrafted 19k gold, with workshops in Bangkok and designs inspired by Etruscan, Greek, and Roman jewelry. Her pieces incorporate unique materials: 19th-century micro mosaics, ancient coins, Japanese porcelain buttons, and Venetian glass intaglios. She oversees the entire production process, selecting each stone and design. The brand has flagship stores on Madison Avenue in New York and in Boyce, Virginia. Locke’s jewelry stands out for blending the ancient with the contemporary, emphasizing hammered gold texture and authentic craftsmanship, creating timeless pieces that merge historical relics into wearable art.
Citrine: Mount in the center in a bezel setting, with 1 oval carving of an antique intaglio (26 x 22 x 5 mm mm) carved from orange citrine, with a weight of about 30 carats.
Citrines: Mount in bezel settings, with 4 square steps cut of natural citrines, with a total combined weight of about 5 carats.
Citrines: Mount in bezel settings, with 4 round cabochons cut of natural citrines, with a total combined weight of about 1 carat.
Pearls: Mount in bar settings, with 4 well matchet round white pearls of 5mm.
Weight: 30.70 Grams, (19.70 Dwt).
Measurements: 70 mm by 62 mm by 12 mm (2.76 x 2.44 x 0.47 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark monogram, the mark for the assay and warranty of the .750/.999 gold and signed as follows: "EL 18KT".
Intaglio
This is an engraved gem, frequently is a small and usually semi-precious gemstone that has been carved, in the Western tradition normally with images or inscriptions only on one face. The engraving of gemstones was a major luxury art form in the ancient world, and an important one in some later periods. Strictly speaking, engraving means carving in intaglio (with the design cut into the flat background of the stone), but relief carvings (with the design projecting out of the background as in nearly all cameos) are also covered by the term. This article uses cameo in its strict sense, to denote a carving exploiting layer of differently colored stone. The activity is also called gem carving and the artists gem-cutters. References to antique gems and intaglios in a jewelry context will almost always mean carved gems; when referring to monumental sculpture, counter-relief, meaning the same as intaglio, is more likely to be used. Vessels like the Cup of the Ptolemies and heads or figures carved in the round are also known as hardstone carvings.
Collateral: This pendant-brooch by Elizabeth Locke is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this pendant-brooch by Elizabeth Locke is excellent. Beside the little normal wear there is no damage to the gold. The 13 gemstones are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: P011926SENN/.7379
