Antique Diamond and Silver Upon Gold Six Point Star Brooch, With Rays, Circa 1890, 1.50 Carats

An antique, diamond star brooch, with a raised, old-cut diamond, in a cut down setting, in the centre of a six pointed silver snowflake, with an air gap, surrounded by six points, set with three rose-cut diamonds, in grain settings, with superimposed old-cut diamonds, in cut down settings, with single diamond rays, in cut down settings, on gold knife edge stalks, between the points of the star, set in silver-upon-gold, with an approximate total diamond weight of 1.50 carats, with a later pin and roller catch fitting, European, circa 1890.

In Victorian symbolism stars represented direction, wisdom and guidance for the spirit. This was inspired by sailors of previous eras who used stars in the night sky as navigation aids. Stars have been popular motifs since the 17th century, with women of the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras adding diamond starbursts to their collections. The appearance of Halley’s Comet, in 1758 and again in 1835, lead to a fashion for star and comet jewellery. This fascination with the solar system and its celestial bodies continued long after Halley’s Comet disappeared from view.