Attributed to Wilhelm Schmidt Hand Carved Opal 14K Diamonds & Silver Pendant

This is an absolutely amazing piece. It is a pendant / Brooch. We believe the carving may be of Wilhelm Schmidt. The carving is a solid hand-carved opal of Perseus. It is just incredible the detail in this carving, please do zoom in for the super fine details. The opal is prong set in 14K Yellow gold. Surrounding this greek warrior are many many Old European & Rose Cut Diamonds. The diamonds are set in floral and ribbon design, both bezel and bead prong-set in silver. This is such a beautiful piece. The carving is in perfect undamaged condition... The diamonds are all present and in excellent condition, however, I do see 2 miscolored diamonds on the ribbon. There are no hallmarks but tests as 14K and sterling silver with earth mined untreated opal and diamonds. The bail is a double bail on the back and is rather wide so it should not turn when placed on your favorite chain. The pin is straight 14K with a rolling c clasp. Opal: 21 mm x 19 mm. Diamonds all old euro & rose cuts: 3 mm down to 1.5 mm each. The jeweller John Brogden exhibited Schmidt's first opal cameo at the Paris Exhibition in 1878. Schmidt was born in Idar Oberstein, the European centre of the mineral, gemstone and lapidary trades. At the age of 15, he was sent to Paris as an apprentice and was taken under the wing of cameo-cutter, Arsène, who trained him in the neo-classical tradition. Despite his prodigious talent and winning prizes for drawing and draughtsmanship, by the time he graduated in the 1860s, the French fashion for stone cameos, either mounted as jewellery or as collectables for amateur students of antiquity, was waning. Eventually, after several tough years, Schmidt settled in London, where he set up an engraving business in Hatton Garden, trading alongside his gem-dealing brother Louis, who imported numerous unusual and rare specimens with which he could work. Carving opal is a hazardous undertaking to say the least, as opal can crack and spoil if the temperature conditions fluctuate. To quote the late scholar Gertrud Seidmann, a connoisseur of Schmidt's work, and to whom we are indebted for our knowledge of him. Opal cameos, if rare, were not unknown (in the 19th century) but Schmidt had invented a novel technique: instead of carving the whole cameo from precious opal, he used blanks with a thin layer of precious opal overlaying the matrix, in the same way in which the contrasted layers of agates were traditionally used to set off the background.

Schmidt never signed his work and the cameos he produced for jewellery shops and dealers were never credited to him. Examples, attributed by Seidmann, are in the collections of the Natural History Museum, London, the British Museum and the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Of course I honor this policy. Please message me first and I will do my best to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. You are welcome to make a reasonable offer, but please keep in mind; A reasonable offer is not requesting a 50% or more reduction.

All Antique and Estate Jewelry is perviously loved so care should be used when cleaning or in contact with water. It is NEVER recommended to use an ultrasonic cleaner for antique or fragile items.

This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Vintage & Antique Jewelry\Necklaces & Pendants". The seller is "annieokey" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, all countries in Europe, all countries in continental Asia, Canada, Australia.

Antique: Yes
Signed: No
Color: Silver
Main Stone Color: Multicolor
Metal: Sterling Silver
Secondary Stone: Diamond
Jewelry Department: Fine
Main Stone: Opal
Vintage: Yes
Brand: Antique
Setting Style: Prong
Type: Pendant
Department: Unisex Adults
Era: Victorian (1837-1901)
Style: Pendant
Base Metal: Gold
Original/Reproduction: Original
Country of Origin: Unknown