Antique Gold Halley’s Comet Brooch

Halley's Comet has been observed by astronomers since 240BC, but it was only at the start of the 18th Century that an English Astronomer named Edmond Halley realised the sightings were all reappearances of the same comet. As such the comet was named after him.Halley is a comet that can be seen every 75-76 years and is the only short period comet that is visible to the naked eye. With its certain reappearance within most human lifetimes it has become legendary.The last appearance of the comet was in 1986 meaning it will reappear in 2061.The comet became a source of inspiration for jewellery throughout the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods with jewellers celebrating the reappearance of the comet with brooches such as the one listed here.Modelled with a faceted Rock Crystal and a Garnet in high carat gold collet settings this brooch is a wonderful example of this well known and sort after jewellery.This piece dates the the mid 19th century meaning it was most likely celebrating the passing of the comet in 1835, the idea of which is fascinating, the people of the time must have been in complete awe of the astrological phenomenon which explains the urge to commemorate such excitement!These brooches tend to be small and this one follows suit at 3cm in length.The brooch is in lovely antique condition with some surface abrasions to the rock crystal but generally in very good condition. Typical of its age it is unmarked but tests as gold with the centre part testing as 9ct and the collet settings testing as higher.Length - 3cmWeight - 3.9g