THE MONTH FEBRUARY

1 the ANTIQUE

SENTIMENTAL JEWELLERY

With Valentine’s Day coming up, our thoughts turn to special gifts for loved ones.

Sentimental jewellery dates back to the late 17th century but its heyday was the period from 1760 to 1860. ‘Popular motifs include serpents representing eternal love, forget-me-not flowers, hearts, and ‘fede’ – two clasped right hands from the Italian meaning ‘hands in trust’,’ says Jennifer Tonkin, Bonhams’ senior jewellery specialist. Also, from the late 18th century it became fashionable for lovers to exchange eye miniatures for viewing in private. ‘George, Prince of Wales, and Maria Fitzherbert famously exchanged eye miniatures. Only the owner of the miniature knew who the