About this Piece
| Diameter: | 2” |
| Material: | Tests sterling silver, glass |
| Weight: | 18 grams |
| Mark: | Yes, “sterling” at the side of the clasp |
| Era: | Late Victorian |
Why You’ll Love It
This intricate antique Victorian brooch is a treasure to behold. Its large and plump round shape perfectly balances whimsy and charm, drawing the eye with its lovely and detailed floral motif. The bright sterling silver catches and casts light to highlight its meticulous design through repousse technique. At the focal point, a large brilliant-cut cabochon in a rich purple hue, made to emulate amethyst, emanates a deeply saturated color due to its thick cut and sits in an open setting for endless shimmer.
Condition and Quality
| ● | Bright patina with minimal surface wear to the setting. No dents. |
| ● | Fresh sheen, crisp faceting, and a few tiny chips to the glass that are noticeable only on close inspection. |
| ● | Secure, original clasp. |
Collector Note
On Glass Made to Emulate Gemstones. Glass has long been used by jewelers to simulate natural gemstones. For instance, during the Georgian era, black dot paste is a term that refers to a style of glass that was made to simulate the sparkle of natural diamonds. But in the 1940s, the use of glass to simulate gemstones ramped up more than ever before. World War II constrained both fine materials and pocketbooks, so more and more designers (including high-end designers) focused on glass to re-create the distinctive properties of different gems. High-end designers thus began making costume glass jewelry - but with the same attention to detail, high craftsmanship, and design skill that was applied to fine jewelry.
On Victorian. A young Queen Victoria assumed her role in 1837 and her taste in jewelry quickly became culturally influential, within England and beyond. Her relationship to jewelry was enmeshed with her husband, Prince Albert, who gifted the Queen for their engagement, a snake ring, embedded with an emerald (her birthstone) in its head. Continuing from the Georgian era and intensified by Queen Victoria’s taste, sentimental and figural jewelry was a major trend throughout the Victorian era. When certain ideas and words were deemed too forward or improper to be spoken, jewelry and symbolic meaning was used to communicate what was left unsaid.