Wilhelmina’s first garniture

This brooch is part of the first garniture owned by Wilhelmina. It was a gift from her parents on Christmas Eve 1862. It is made of gold with small oriental pearls and enamel. The set was purchased from a jeweller in Hamburg and lacks hallmarks. During the second half of the 18th century, laws were introduced that gave Sweden a unique standing in the world. Statutory hallmarks and stamps, such as the ‘cat’s foot’, year marking and the maker’s mark, guaranteed the authenticity of the piece.