Gold and topaz rivière, Early 19th Century

Designed as a graduated rivière of oval pink foil back topaz mounted in cut-down collets, suspending a detachable Maltese Cross pendant , the arms each set with a glazed locket of hair, embellished with circular topaz accents,

The Maltese Cross became a popular motif in England during the early 19th Century, popularized by Emma Hamilton, wife to the British envoy to Naples Sir William Hamilton and mistress to Horatio Nelson. After being presented with a Maltese Cross by the Tsar in recognition for her charity work in aid of the Maltese under French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars. She was later presented an example embellished with diamonds from Queen Maria Carolina of Naples sister to the recently executed Queen Marie Antoinette, as an indirect compliment to Horation Nelson, who was to orchestrate the evacuation of the royal family prior to the French occupation and later assist in quelling the Republican uprising.