A beautiful Georgian silver and black dot paste brooch, more than likely originally a buckle but has been converted in the nineteenth century.
 
Paste, a glass with high lead content, was invented in the early eighteenth century to imitate diamonds and precious gemstones. As much time and effort went into cutting and polishing paste stones as diamonds and they were highly fashionable and coveted. Georgian paste stones were often painted with a black dot on the culet (bottom point) to give the similar sense of depth as a diamond. They are also foil-backed with a closed setting as with most stones from this period so must avoid getting wet as this will darken the foil and therefore the stones.
 
 
Size: 3.2cm x 2.8cm (not including the pin)
 
Weight: 5.9g
 
 
Not hallmarked, tests as silver. The pin and hinge etc will be a base metal as is typical.
 
Some wear as to be expected of something that is two hundred plus years old. One paste stone has a corner missing (see photos) and the other stones have smaller chips and abrasions.
 
Please note that any boxes in the photos are for display purposes only and are not included in the sale of this brooch. The brooch will be sent in a new good quality box.