Posted 8 years ago
katherines…
(247 items)
So this brooch is Spanish vermeil silver filigree, 2 1/2", with an old c clasp, bought it at the swap meet on Saturday. I'd had my eye on it for a month or two, the guy was offering it for ten dollars, on Saturday he sold it to me for three dollars! Pin is stamped with a shooting star on one side, that identifies it as .750 silver, the other side has the number 27. As to what this brooch is properly called, filigree or cannetille, there's some question in my mind. They are both made in similar decor, one explanation is filigree is flat and cannetille is three dimensional. My own feeling is cannetille is more elaborate, often in a framework, and bejeweled. I think filigree is a good description for this brooch. I will add some links below discussing both as well as a link to a brooch being sold quite similar to mine. Thanks for looking.
Cannetille:
http://www.langantiques.com/university/Cannetille
Filigree:
http://www.langantiques.com/university/Filigree
Pin similar to mine:
http://www.danaraejewelry.com/antique-vermeil-silver-filigree-flower-pin.html
I have a love-hate relationship with this kind of jewelry: Sometimes I find the designs too "busy" for my likings. They are also hard to clean. But then I find myself buying more because they are so pretty! Also, think the work that goes into each piece is tremendous! Here is my little collection http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/184262-unmarked-filigree-brooch
I recently found a butterfly but have been too busy to post it yet:(
Your information is very helpful:)
Thanks for the love, Hel1, kyratango, freiheit, brunswick, and nutsabotas5. :)
Thanks, glad you found the links helpful! And thank you for sharing your link, will go and peruse now. :)
Thanks for the love, vetraio50, and mikelv85. :)
Oh thank you! It's better than I thought now I can really see it.
I think it is gorgeous, and an absolute bargain.
Thanks for the info too! !
Thanks for the love, TassieDevil, JImam, racer4four, and skivatinitz. :)
You are more than welcome, Karen, I agree it was a bargain. I'm glad if the info was of interest to you, all it did was confuse me, lol! The brooch is awfully unclean and unpolished, hopefully I can get it all cleaned up and make it nicer. :)
Kath, I can't wait to see the result of Windex cleaning :-))
Hi Katherine...the little rosette is cannetille, and the rest is filigree. Just thought I'd chime that in for you. 3 bucks, you dun real good ;) If the windex itself doesn't do the trick, get some warm water with liquid soap and windex...let it soak and it will sparkle! Luckily for me I have the old windex with amonia in it. I use it for my own jewelry and it's never harmed anything. I prefer my silver to shine. Gold too. Just don't use it on pearls, opals etc... Sometimes I have to leave a piece in for a good amount of time, I just add hot water at that point and stir it around. Pat dry it well.