Posted 3 years ago
tubbyk
(22 items)
This is my biggest mystery jewellery piece. It didn’t cost a lot, isn’t marked ( apart from scratches on the back) but in all my years of looking at and collecting jewellery I’ve not seen anything else that looks like it’s come from the same maker. Wondering if anybody might recognise the style? Also, is it likely to be hand or machine made? And what exactly is the flower / plant? The detail is really wonderful.
You have a Teasle brooch. A very nice brooch indeed. Welcome to CW!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipsacus
It has a very old clasp.
Ahhh, no wonder I didn’t recognise the plant - it’s not Aussie. Thank you Gillian! One part of the mystery solved. Yes, the C clasp does look old.
Beautiful design, reminds me of a sea anemone
Woo hoo! Well done, Gillian. :-)
Isn't that a THISTLE ? like Celtic or Scottish? Being Scottish myself I have seen and own a few. Lori
thank you Gillian for the education - must be the other side (Russian) that gets confused! lol
This brooch is a thistle, Art Nouveau, French, made by the firm of Piel Freres. It's machine made, either in gilt metal or silver gilt, this design was made in both. The thistle part was probably originally oxidised so it contrasted with the gilt.
Oh thank you so much Jewels1900 for identifying the maker. I really appreciate everyone’s help.
Hmmm, here is a very similar belt buckle by Piel Freres:
*snip*
BELT BUCKLE, PIEL FRÈRES, CIRCA 1900
Designed as an exotic fruit, maker's mark for Piel Frères.
Similar brooch illustrated in The Belle Epoque of French Jewellery 1850-1910, Jewellery Making in Paris 1850-1910, pp. 273-274, no. 204, now in the Wurtembergisehes Landes Museum, Stuttgart. The museum's inventory indicated that it was acquired from Piel Frères at the Paris Exhibition of 1900.
*snip*
https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2019/signed-jewels-online/belt-buckle-piel-freres
I recognized it as a thistle also, a lot of these are attached to kilts which the women wear also, nice piece !~
Yes, Thistle brooch by Piel Frères :-D
I have the same!
Thanks so much everyone. I’ve always thought the detail was too good to be a junk item. Thrilled to know the maker.