reddit.comPosted Aug 21, 2022, 12:08 PM UTC
"Provenance" refers to an object's paper trail of ownership, and you know more about that than we ever could.
Woman's collar brooch c.1900.
Thank you! I wasn't aware that "provenance" is ever used in such a specific way. To me (and most or all of my fellow word nerds/literary buffs) it's always been "the earliest known source/existence of a thing" or something similar. But anyway, you're definitely right that I'd know more than internet strangers about its trail of ownership (great grandfather (in Scotland) > great grandmother (in Australia) > grandmother > mother).
I'm a total dunce on jewellery. Do you have any idea where I could find more information? Search terms? Places to look? Should I just take it to a local jewellery shop? It's not necessarily for sale, but we would certainly like to have some idea what it's worth (if for no other reason than to insure it; but were it to be worth a sum capable of tangible life improvement, I'm sure it would be considered). Thanks again!
"the earliest known source/existence of a thing"
Exactly. The known source, not the presumed origin.
Provenances are records of specific ownership…most or all English speakers who have a thorough understanding of the language would think differently.
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Very pretty indeed. Art Deco-ish design, so I'm guessing not much before 1920.
Thank you! Sounds like great-grandpa might've been the original owner then. Which makes sense given he gifted it to my great grandmother. Is there anything significant about that style of pearl? It's not something I've ever seen before (not that I know the first thing about jewellery).
We always called these “seed pearls” at the jewelry store where I worked. This is pretty big for a “seed” but it’s irregular in shape which is really what makes it a seed pearl. They used to be considered less valuable and less expensive, but now that isn’t necessarily the case because the pearls look much more interesting and natural this way. It’s a beautiful and unique shape!
Pearl fan here. The drop pearl is not a seed pearl, much too large, but the pearls on the brooch bar are seed. Pearls naturally have inclusions, irregularities and shapes. The luster on this pearl is wonderful. Real pearls stay naturally cooler to the touch. To see if your pearl is real there are a few ways to investigate. Old trick is to, gently, run the peal against your tooth, if it feels gritty it's real. Never ever clean pearls with jewelry cleaner, a gentle wipe down with a soft cloth it all it needs. It's a beautiful piece!
Additional information: the brooch came out to Australia with my great grandfather from Scotland. So it was likely made in the UK or Europe (certainly not Australia).