Posted 13 years ago
Agram.m
(762 items)
One of my last acquired brooches is one of those I so admire Micro mosaic technique in Etruscan style. It is marked 18/20 k A better photo I cannot make. The more I learn about Micro Mosaic jewelry the more I become convinced that this brooch was made under supervision of Castellani or at least one of his assistants. This truly artistic piece is in excellent condition , despite a few tesserae tiles missing. Stamped with Papal maker's mark ( Crossed keys of St Peter with Papal Tiara). Period: Circa 1815-1860.
I was surprised to see one of my Micro Mosaic brooches (also on this page, the peasant lady on a cushion) to see on a film about this subject. If you want to learn more you can link to: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/14896068
The brooch is amazing!
Thank you for sharing this item with us!
You could well have a treasure here!
An emblematic jewel!
It's certainly in the Roman revivalist style of Castellani jewels of the late nineteenth century. The Castellani family popularised Italian archaeological jewelry: inspired by the Etruscan, Greco-Roman, and Byzantine antiquities being excavated at that time. Check ou this site for their mark of entwined C's.
http://www.langantiques.com/university/index.php/Castellani
But can I suggest you start a google images search with "chi rho micro mosaic" and you'll see what I mean.
Chi rho, labarum, IX monogram, Ichthys are all relevant here. Christian symbols integrated with Roman symbolism of laurel leaves and victory. Constantine I and a vision.
There is much research for you to do.
I hope you nought it well.
Get an expert to look at it!
Hello vetrai050,
Thanks a lot for your interesting comment. I will look around. The problem is that we don't have so much antique experts and they give not always the good value is my experience. Perhaps they might be afraid to pay a too high price in case of selling.
PLEASE WHO CAN HELP TO IDENTIFY THIS MARK?
Newtimes, thanks for your quick respons and loving. Have you any idea if I'm right with my suggestion (description) of the origin of the hallmark?
BelleEpoque thanks for your interest and loving
Moonstonelover21 thanks for your interest, attention and loving
I was recently consulted about a cameo brooch with what I think is the same mark & had the same thought you did, that it is from the Vatican. See this question & the comment that was posted for it:
http://www.antique-jewelry-investor.com/crossed-keys-mark-within-shield-18k-gold-ring.html
cameosleuth thanks for your reaction and comment.
The offices in the territories of Bologna, Ferrara, Forlì, Ravenna, Marche and Camerino had similar marks. Papal States ceased to exist in 1870.