George Washington agate button commemorative pendant
Datec. 1860
Maker
Unknown
Geography
Probably made -
United States
Medium/TechniqueGold, silver, agate, enamel
DimensionsOverall (maximum): 4 1/4 in. x 3 in. (10.8 cm x 7.62 cm)
Overall: 4 1/8 in. × 2 13/16 in. × 3/4 in. (10.48 cm × 7.14 cm × 1.91 cm)
Credit LineAcquired through the generosity of Ron and Cheryl Howard and the A. Alfred Taubman Acquisition Endowment Fund, 2017
Object numberW-5530
DescriptionTrefoil shaped gold pendant set with three circular agate and silver buttons, arranged two over one below the monogram “GW” enameled in black in facsimile script. The flecked gray white agate buttons are partly transparent; each has a silver boss at the center of the polished, domed face and a silver loop shank projecting from the flat reverse. The gold setting framing each of the three buttons is ornamented with applied gold filigree wire and three applied leaf shaped ornaments. The pendant is suspended from a small hanging loop attached to a wedge shaped slider; the applied ornaments and slider have small central bosses.Published ReferencesSotheby's (Firm), Washington-Custis Silver, Property of a Direct Descendant, 1774-1779: New York, MAY 19, 2005, Sales Catalogue NO8142 (New York: Sotheby's, 2005), lot 4, 40.
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c. 1850-1865
c. 1797
c. 1783
1772; refashioned c. 1790
c. 1789
1800-1820
A: c. 1774; B: c. 1795