Possibly 16/17th Century Austro Hungarian Stomacher / Chatelaine Piece

Description: This may well be the oldest object in our collection! The styling is typically Austro Hungarian and this style of jewellery dates from antiquity right up to the 20th century. The fitting appears to be that of a stomacher and there would originally have been one or two more pieces dangling from the bottom (although it is also  possible, with this fitting, that it was originally part of a very fancy chatelaine). Regardless its a very interesting and speculative piece of jewellery. 

Age:  We want to be honest here and say we're not experts in Austro Hungarian jewellery although we're very used to seeing Victorian era Neo Renaissance pieces and this feels different - this could well be a piece of 16/17th century jewellery which would fit well if it is/was a stomacher, if its part of a chatelaine then it could be a later, Victorian Revival piece. Gut feel when we bought it was that it looks and feels very early (and we had to fight quite hard to buy it at auction a decade or so ago so at least one other person though it was good, old or had something about it!). We will continue to research it and would welcome any opinions!

Size and weight: 22.04g , 5.5cm top to bottom x 5cm wide 

Materials: Silver gilt, foiled green stones TBC, garnet, chalcedony, probably foiled (or possibly rose quartz), enamel, foil 

Condition: Its in very good condition considering its age, some of the enamel is slightly nibbled, we've done nothing to it so its quite dirty and tarnished. As per above, it would originally have had a least 2 side drops (one hoop present, one partly missing) and one or two bottom drops. 

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