Posted 10 years ago
BelleEpoque
(98 items)
A recent antiques market purchase, this beautiful brooch is made of silver and is set with a lovely green chrysoprase. It is marked 800 and maker's mark for Wilhelm Müller (WM), of Berlin. Made circa 1900.
Could be Danish, but I think the '800' indicates German (I think it would be 830 in Denmark).
German I think. There is a particular part of the design that has a German feel about it. Also, I've not seen Scandinavian marks like those before.
Thanks, jensen & Jewels for the input. I'm also inclined to think it's German, but the marks throw me off a bit. I suppose it could also be Austrian. In any case, it's really pretty. Thanks also to all who are loving it.
Can't tell you about these marks but the brooch screams out 'skönvirke' to me and that together with chrysoprase places this brooch in scandinavia and most likely Denmark. There is a similar beltbuckle on CW if you look at fine jewellry/scandinavian jewellry/ show and tell. There is a discussion about which scandinavian country, in my opinion I stick with Denmark. Skönvirke pieces are quite hard to come by. I think they are great and hope to own one in the future.
What I ment about chrysoprase is that it's been very popular around here.
Hi again, those silvermarks are really 'irritating' my brains...have been searching but can't find an answer. There is a danish maker with XX named Muller (should be a german u) which sounds a bit german...but that wouldn't make this brooch antique and doesn't explain everything. Let us know when you know more.If you search the net for 'skönvirke with cchrysoprase' you will se plenty of photos of jewelry with this style.
Hi Elisabethan, thanks so much for your interest and comments. I have to say that the brooch does remind me of some early GJensen pieces, that's why I initially thought it could be Scandinavian. However, as Jensen noted above, most Skonvirke pieces are 830 silver or sterling, while 800 is more common in German Jugendstil. I will look through the books and internet and let you know if I learn more. I wish the marks were more legible!!
Yes, let me know I want 'proof' if I'm wrong :)... In any case one of the most beautiful brooches I've seen from this period.
Hi jensen, Jewels1900 & Elisabethan... I think I finally solved this mystery. The maker's mark is for Wilhelm Müller, from Berlin. So German, after all. Thanks for all your interest.
Thanks for the information BelleEpoque! Yes I think that's right, found the makers mark now. I'm quite surpriced actually that this is not danish :). I also learnt some more, next to the mark with 800 and XX they show one with 830S. I didn't know that was used in Germany. I have a post with a ring, with a red stone, that's a mystery to me with that S after the silvercontent mark. I thought it can be from Norway or Denmark but now I see it can also be german. Unfortunately it hasn't got a makersmark only a number '54'.
Anyway, I think your brooch is the most beautiful I ever seen in this style.
Merry Christmas!
All the best to YOU & YOURS over the Festive Season BELLEÉPOQUE !!!!!!
Hello all - does anyone know the history of the Wilhelm Muller jewelry distributor? I'm curious about a piece I saw; however, have seen some anecdotal info about the company's ties to the Third Reich and I'm looking for more information prior to purchasing the piece.
Since I saw found this conversation, I wondered if anyone had info on the jeweler.
Thanks!