Love & Unicorns : Australian Antique 15ct Puffy Heart Pendant by Willis and Sons

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A deliciously decorated 15 carat gold “puffy heart” pendant circa 1889 -1904, made by early Australian manufacturing jewellers Willis & Sons of Melbourne.

Willis and Sons used the Unicorn hallmark on the items of jewellery they manufactured. The Willis family had been in the jewellery business in London and Birmingham before relocating to Australia – their hallmark is derived from the Willis family crest.

Manufacture:
The three dimensional heart is modelled in 15ct yellow gold and covered on one side with applied decorative floral patterns in rose and green gold, complimented with engraved details. It is hollow, as is typical, but very sturdily made. The garland draped across the heart is is rose gold, the three small flowers are in green gold. The bail is permanently affixed and can be worn with chains of a diameter up to 3.2mm.

Hallmarked to the back of the bail with the Unicorn mark of Willis & Sons, 15ct and the fleece mark employed by the members of the Manufacturing Jewellers Association of Victoria from 1889. Willis & Sons ceased using the fleece mark in 1904, making it possible to confidently narrow down the manufacturing date for this piece.

Measures 24.28mm from top of the fixed bail to the point of the heart, 14.31mm wide and 6.91mm deep. Weighs 1.7 grams.

The vintage 54cm (21.25″) 9ct figaro link chain is optional.

Condition:
In excellent antique condition. There is one slight dimple to the back of the heart at the top on the right hand side. This is not visible when worn and barely noticeable when looked for. In lovely condition and ready for immediate and everyday wear.

This product is currently out of stock and unavailable.

Description

A deliciously decorated 15 carat gold “puffy heart” pendant made by early Australian manufacturing Jewellers Willis & Sons, circa 1889 -1904. The three dimensional heart is covered on one side with applied decorative floral patterns in rose and green gold, complimented with engraved details. The bail is permanently affixed and can be worn with chains of a diameter up to 3.2mm.

Hallmarked to the back of the bail with the Unicorn mark of Willis & Sons, 15ct and the fleece mark employed by the members of the Manufacturing Jewellers Association of Victoria from 1889. Willis & Sons ceased using the fleece mark in 1904, making it possible to narrow down the manufacturing date for this piece.

Measures 24.28mm from top of the fixed bail to the point of the heart, 14.31mm wide and 6.91mm deep. Weighs 1.7 grams.

The vintage 54cm (21.25″) 9ct figaro link chain is optional.

Additional information

chain

without chain, with 54cm Figaro link chain