Posted 7 years ago
Betty1978
(58 items)
Hi there! I bought this lovely brooch at a yardsale last weekend. I believe it is quite old, but I have no idea of its origin. The central cabochon looks like an amethyst, but since I have very little knowledge about gems, it could also be glass... The other stones could be agates, but then again, I'm not sure. The piece was transformed into a brooch (the pin was added to the back part). Originally, it could have been the front part of a locket (or a watch case?). The metal on the back isn't the same colour as the metal on the front. There is no mark on either part.
Any suggestion is welcome! :)
Very pretty find!
Early Victorian pinchbeck, agate/calcedony, perhaps amethyst or pergaps purple paste.
From the curved shape, it was converted to a brooch from a bracelet clasp.
You should find the groove where the clasp tongue part went on the side under the needle hinge :-)
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Victorian-Embroidered-Glass-Bead-Pinchbeck-Chalcedony-Push-In-Clasp/263335318005?hash=item3d500211f5:g:6RoAAOSwazJZ31rG&_trkparms=gclientid%3DJ18uFis1IA7RYgvP3Z-Lz8Rq_HVGg79PB2PZngf1Gv9nbw813bez0wCZkpFEPQtT&_trksid=p2489528.m4335.l8656
Outstanding! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise, Kyratango! Indeed, I can can see the groove you are talking about... So very interesting! I paid 8 euros for this little treasure! It will definitely occupy a special place in my modest jewelry collection...
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! :)
De rien! ;-))
These very old pieces often were adapted.
Cool catch for 8€!
It may be Scottish. I have seen the same Scottish design but with agates.
Yes, Moonhill, I've seen some of these brooches on Ebay... Thanks for your comment!
Truly wonderful!
Thank you Elisabethan! :)