Antique Reverse-Painted Essex Crystal Ox Pendant in 18k Yellow Gold

This rare 18k Victorian pendant features a beautifully detailed reverse-painted Essex crystal of a golden-horned ox with lime green reins. Highly collectible, it retains strong color and clarity, showing only minimal wear. Please keep dry—Essex crystals are sensitive to moisture and may be damaged if submerged. A prime treasure for antique jewelry enthusiasts and collectors.

PENDANT
Material: 18k yellow gold
Crystal: Reverse-painted Essex crystal, high cabochon, hand carved
Motif: Golden-horned ox with lime green reins
Crystal Measurements: 15.5 mm
Pendant Dimensions: 22.8 x 16.6 x 7.4 mm including bail
Weight: 4.2 grams
Markings: “18” inscribed, 4-207-22 120-
Period: Victorian, circa 1880s
Condition: Excellent, minimal wear (rare for Essex crystal pieces)

Essex crystal refers to a distinctive type of jewelry popular from the mid-19th century through the early 20th century. Each piece features a cabochon of rock crystal (a clear quartz), which is hand-carved in reverse on the flat back to create an intaglio (incised) image, then painstakingly painted with fine oils for 3D effect. Typical motifs include animals, flowers, and sporting scenes—often appearing to “float” within the dome.
The name “Essex crystal” is a misnomer, as the technique is tied to English miniaturists and stone carvers—not to the artist William Essex nor to the county of Essex. This labor-intensive process was introduced in Belgium around 1860 and later perfected in England by carvers like Emile Marius Pradier and Thomas Cooke. Authentic Essex crystals are coveted for their sharp detail, realism, and the meticulous artistry required, but later imitations in glass or plastic are common