A lovely early nineteenth century (late Georgian/early Victorian) silver black dot paste brooch (may have originally been a buckle but 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.
 
 
Length: 1.9cm
Width: 1.6cm
 
Weight: 2.5g
 
 
In good antique condition, wear commensurate with age including small abrasions to the stones. The pin fixings are base metal.
 
 
Please note that any boxes in the photos are for display purposes only and not included in the sale of this piece although it will be sent securely in a new jewellery box.