Antique Ceylonese Jargoon & Pink Ruby Brooch

Circa 1875, an impressive and very beautiful Ceylonese 'Matara Diamond' and foiled pink Ruby brooch fashioned in Silver. An unusual find, and one which took us a while to place, we were drawn by the Georgianesque shaping of this piece and curious to trace its origins. We found our guide in Michael Backman a specialist in Asian antiquities and quote here from his website which shows similar items... 

'Ceylonese silversmiths and other craftsmen produced items with Dutch influence during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This brooch is one example, which has parallels with eighteenth century European jewellery with its cruciform motifs.'

Hand crafted and set throughout with hand faceted rose-cut Jargoons also known as 'Matara Diamonds' (the old name for Zircons fine enough to be cut as gems) in a flowered cruciform shape around a central faceted Ruby which is placed over a pink foil to enhance its colour, the design is a striking one and of real beauty. All of the gemstones would have been indigenous to the island and this piece is a wonderful find of its type. It measures 5cm across.