The phrase "knock on wood" is believed to have come from an 18th-century children's game in which touching a piece of wood would protect you from being tagged. The notion traveled into the following century, and during the first World War, British troops would carry these tiny wooden charms into battle. They hoped the lucky material would protect them - as it did during their childhood - from getting tagged. (Forever). WWI era so-called "Fumsup" charms like these were made and sold cheaply in the thousands, but this is the first one we're seen in solid 15k gold with diamonds inlaid. How strange to see a trinket elevated with fine materials - I wonder who commissioned it, and why?
thedetails
- Materials
15k gold (marked), 3 1mm rose cut diamonds, wood, new 14k gold chain
- Age
c. 1915
- Condition
Very good
- Size
1 1/2" length including the bale, 3/8" width, 18" chain
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Aboutthe
EdwardianEra
1900 — 1910
The jewelry tended toward airy lightness, often in the form of lacy filigree. The world was changing rapidly, but lots of the jewelry still reflected the Victorian ideals of decorum and femininity. Ancient Roman and Greek influences remained popular. “White” jewelry became popular as plentiful deposits of platinum were discovered in Russia and improved smelting technology made it possible for jewelers to work in the noble metal. Platinum was seldom used by jewelers in earlier years owing both to its scarcity and high melting point. The jewelry trade took advantage of its rigid strength to create opulent openwork settings for increasingly brilliant diamonds. The old European cut was perfected, rounder and squatter than old mine. This took stone-cutting one step closer to the mathematically perfect round brilliant cut, which is the most popular diamond cut today. The now-iconic square Asscher cut was patented in 1902. Hot on the heels of platinum, the alloy mixture that produces white gold was formulated and patented in 1915 in New York City. With Europe in the grip of WW1, the American jewelry industry was poised to become a world leader and innovator.
please note:Terms of Sale
Antiques can be returned unworn and in original condition within 10 days of delivery for an exchange or refund minus the cost of shipping. Once a piece has been altered, including ring re-sizing, it is FINAL SALE.