Posted 8 years ago
kiwipaul
(117 items)
This is a large (40mm long, about 1.5 inches) late Victorian brooch modeled as a cicada. It probably dates to the 1890's when White Cliffs opal first reached England.
It's silver that's clad with two coloured yellow and rose gold and beautifully engraved. The engraving produces a moire effect on the wings that was very hard to capture, you can kind of see it in the last two pics. It combines nicely with the opals to suggest the natural colours and wing patterns of these big bugs.
The Victorians loved symbolism in their jewellery. The cicada is a symbol of rebirth and immortality, because they survive underground then emerge to soar up to the sky, so this piece was probably intended as a token of eternal love.
This is absolutely gorgeous.......
WONDERFUL OBJECT !!!!
Swoon....
Grrr, Paul! I'm so envious of your cicada!!!
Splendid catch :-)
The case seems to be the original one!
This definitely as the wow factor, Paul.
Stunning!!! Bug, silver, gold AND opal....can't get any better !!!!
Amazing and kyratango this would fit beautifully in your collection :-) Love it
Ha, Mani, I'd say it is Kyratangable ;-D
Stunningly beautiful...
Gorgeous find what a beauty!
Oh! I just love this piece! What a GEM!!!
It looks stunning in the green case. An amazing piece.
Oh my goodness, I could click love 100 times!
Me too ;-)
Superb!
Beautiful!
Thank you for finding this timely piece Radegunder, as the cicadas are humming their summer swan song in our trees just lately. The bugs I don't like, but this brooch is beyond gorgeous, compliments to you kiwipaul for this beautiful post!
Talk about being the queen bee
What a BEAUTIFUL cicada brooch!! Simply outstanding!