Posted 8 years ago
MissMinnow
(3 items)
Can any of the super knowledgeable folks here help me with information about this brooch? It belonged to a family member, now passed, so I have no idea about where or when it's from, what it's made of or what it was for. It's about 2.5" x 1.75" I'm fascinated by the spring-opening face & the locket back. It's battered - the poor bird is down a wing- but I love it.
Thanks- any ideas appreciated!
A Victorian period Mourning/Remembrance pendant/brooch. There would have been a lock of hair from a deceased loved one under the glass. Could be gold over brass. The stones are paste - glass.
superb!
Thank you Efesgirl! That's very interesting- I wouldn't have guessed mourning b/c of the colors. I tend to think of more somber colors & designs as appropriate for mourning.
Hi, what an amazing feat of Victorian engineering and eccentricity! I wish I could hold this and examine it up close myself. I would take it to an antique jewellery expert / dealer for advice if I were you. It could be heavily gold plated, or unhallmarked gold, as was common at that time. The large stones are open backed and prong set, signs of quality, and may be quartz, pink tourmaline or topaz, and tiny sapphires. They are definitely real seed pearls.
I have a fine Victorian brooch with the same unusual style of double catch as yours.
Your brooch is beautiful, and unique - what a treasure!
Thanks sightseer! Engineering and eccentricity are exactly right.
The construction of this piece is really interesting, thank you for showing the back. It is not mourning jewelry - just sentimental.
Thanks davyd286- I find it really interesting too. With the locket empty you can really see how it was put together