Posted 3 years ago
kyratango
(439 items)
Victorian Enamel Dog (Newfoundland or Landseer) with Child and Gold Gilt Metal Swivel Mourning Locket Brooch that measures 5.2x4.4 cms (2" by 1.7"). The brooch weighs 28.60 grams.
Very unusual memento! The child really seems dead...
The Lady's photo is at least 40 years later than the brooch. I'd love to think she's the child that was saved by the dog and wasn't dead!
Fascinating locket brooch, it does look like the beautiful dog is rescuing the child, perhaps successfully(?). Gorgeous and mysterious piece, wonderful find
Thank you Jenni!
I think the child, if alive, would be shown embracing the heroic dog... :-\
Fantastic brooch! I like your interpretation of what is depicted…..child saved by the dog, child all grown up to be an elegant lady.
The scene around the child looks like snow or ice….there’s a saying in emergency medicine regarding hypothermia victims: “You are not dead until you are warm and dead.”
Maybe the little child was feared dead and appeared dead from exposure to the elements but, thanks to God and the wonderful dog, she recovered. I like that story.
I also wonder if there’s another facet of the story related to all the rings???
Nice thought provoking and unusual post!
Ha, Watchsearcher, thank you for loving my story :-))
I searched for works of art depicting similar scene, and found this, related to Landseer (the dog breed was named from the painter!):
https://www.philamuseum.org/collection/object/263475
So, my emamel is an interpretation of the painting... No relation to the Lady...
Ah, and you too noticed the amount of rings she wears on only 2 fingers! LOL
About the Landseer, the Artist:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Landseer
Love this! Great story!!!
Very sad, almost creepy scene with the dog and that child seems to be toast, almost an afterthought to the artist. Could be the mother in pic #2 ! Not something I would gravitate to, but totally fascinating story here !~
Kyratango, interesting info abounds on CW….I clicked on your link to Mr Landseer and realized I’ve visited his lion sculptures in Trafalgar Square, London years ago. What a talented man. It’s a pleasure reading about him.
Thank you for digging up that info!
Vintagelamp, right your alley, uh! ;-)
Phil, thank you, finally it isn't as sad as it appeared!
The painting which inspired this piece is titled "SAVED", so good news for the child!
The "Mother" picture is Belle Epoque when the enamel is 1860s...
Watch searcher, thanks! A big part of collecting is to search for history of the art and identification, it is a pure joy to find something :-D
Eileen, thank you! If only those antique pieces could tell their whole history... Anyway, I love imagining stories about them ;-))