THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
AN IMPORTANT ROYAL SPANISH EMERALD AND DIAMOND HEART-SHAPED COMMEMORATIVE LOCKET, the front with a rectangular-cut emerald bordered in diamonds and emeralds and with a similarly-set link to the short suspension chains at the scroll shoulders, the hinged reverse enamelled with a cypher enclosed in Order of the Golden Fleece on knotty staves below damaged inscription 'Iñ amo.....(?)', the interior with enamelled inscription, pendant pearl, late 17th/early 18th Century, in fitted case
Details
AN IMPORTANT ROYAL SPANISH EMERALD AND DIAMOND HEART-SHAPED COMMEMORATIVE LOCKET, the front with a rectangular-cut emerald bordered in diamonds and emeralds and with a similarly-set link to the short suspension chains at the scroll shoulders, the hinged reverse enamelled with a cypher enclosed in Order of the Golden Fleece on knotty staves below damaged inscription 'Iñ amo.....(?)', the interior with enamelled inscription, pendant pearl, late 17th/early 18th Century, in fitted case
5.8cm. high
INDENTThe inscription reads 'D. Carlos. S. Rei D'España. M. D'ORLEANS. R.D.'España. Biua. M.A. Mia Señora Maria. T.J. D'España. Anna D'Orsan Contezza D.C.L. Augustus. C.Ar. Austriae. M.D.C. Neubourg. I. Jospeh Imperial. Marie. P. Imperi. Ma. A. et Mar. Contesse D.P.'
5.8cm. high
INDENTThe inscription reads 'D. Carlos. S. Rei D'España. M. D'ORLEANS. R.D.'España. Biua. M.A. Mia Señora Maria. T.J. D'España. Anna D'Orsan Contezza D.C.L. Augustus. C.Ar. Austriae. M.D.C. Neubourg. I. Jospeh Imperial. Marie. P. Imperi. Ma. A. et Mar. Contesse D.P.'
Provenance
INDENTCharles II, King of Spain (1665-1700) married firstly (1679) Mary Louise (d.1689) daughter of Philip I, Duke of Orleans and secondly (1690) Mary Anne (d.1740) daughter of Philip Wilhelm, Elector Palatine of Neuburg. By his second marriage, Charles II was related to Leopold I of Austria, Holy Roman Emperor (1657-1705) whose second wife Elinor was a sister of Mary Anne. They in turn were the parents of Joseph I, Prince Imperial and Holy Roman Emperor (1705-1711) and Maria Elizabeth, Princess Imperial (1680-1741), Governor of the Netherlands from 1725. A third daughter, Maria Anne Josepha married (1708) John V, King of Portugal. The presence of the knotty staves from the insignia of Brabant indicates a Spanish Netherlandish connection
INDENTThe locket was included as the Property of Mrs C.F.L. St. George in a Christie's sale of Works of Art on December 18, 1974, lot 170
INDENTThe locket was included as the Property of Mrs C.F.L. St. George in a Christie's sale of Works of Art on December 18, 1974, lot 170