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

An antique diamond six point star brooch, with rays, with an old-cut diamond, in a cut down setting, in the centre, with an air gap surrounded by a flower, grain set with old-cut diamonds, surrounded by a six pointed star, formed of arrowheads, each set with an old-cut diamond, in a claw setting and rose-cut and old-cut diamonds, in grain settings; with single diamond rays, in cut down settings, on knife edge stalks, between the points of the star, mounted in silver-upon-gold, with a removable pin, with a roller catch fitting and a shepherd's hook for hanging a pendant, 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.