Rare Victorian W.B Ford Fox Portrait Brooch/Pendant

Dated 1881. This is an extremely rare and exceptional Victorian reverse-painted crystal brooch/pendant, signed and dated by W.B. Ford (1881). Ford’s work sits among the most desirable names in sporting miniatures, and this fox portrait is a particularly striking example—alive with expression, depth, and painterly detail beneath a domed rock crystal lens.

Set in a substantial 18KT gold horseshoe mount weighing 28.7 grams, the piece speaks directly to the equestrian and sporting culture of the late 19th century. Signed Ford examples are increasingly scarce and rarely leave private collections; among collectors of antique animal portraiture and reverse crystal jewelry, they are considered highly sought-after acquisitions.

This brooch holds crossover appeal: fine jewelry collectors value the craftsmanship and gold; art collectors value the name and subject; sporting and equestrian collectors prize the horseshoe design and the fox motif. The clarity of the signature and the confirmed date make this a particularly desirable piece.

This piece is not just jewelry — it is a collectible historical miniature from the high era of Victorian sporting art. Pieces of this caliber rarely enter the market and tend to be held privately once collected—a true heirloom.

Appraised Value:  $15,000