VICTORIAN BROOCH IN 18 KT GOLD WITH AMETHYST

Victorian brooch in 18kt gold with amethyst. XIX century. 18-karat gold brooch that has a thin hanging metal chain, finished with a gold safety pin intended to hold light decorative elements or be fixed to the fabric, providing some movement to the jewel. The center of attention is an oval, faceted-cut amethyst, with a fine setting so as not to divert attention from the setting of the gem. This is made up of an elaborate and delicate composition: in the centers of the sides there are four rectangular pieces with curved smaller ends, decorated with fine plant elements and scrolls reminiscent of classicism; These elements are interspersed with two concave volutes that flank a leaf (which also presents a fine plant decoration in slight relief); This frame is linked to the gem, visually, a series of elements reminiscent of fine bows with a decoration similar to that of those rectangular pieces mentioned. Historically, the Victorian Era begins in 1837 with the coronation of a young Queen Victoria in England, and would end in 1901 with her death. It was the time of greatest development of the Industrial Revolution, something that also influences jewelry thanks to important technological advances in practically all fields (hydraulic energy, the steam engine, gas, etc. influence the machinery to be used) , and the extensive political dominance of England allowed “exotic” materials from the colonies to be taken into account. Advances in machinery make it possible to slightly lower jewelry costs, obtain new cuts in gems with a greater number of facets (thanks to greater speed on the lathes), innovations in alloys (lowering of gold bands since 1854 in England, introduction of galvanization…), etc. As for the designs, they were always marked by the taste of Queen Victoria. Thus, in general, three stages are distinguished: the Early Victorian or Romantic Period (c. 1837-1860), with frequent inspiration in the world of nature; the Middle Victorian or Great Period (c. 1860-1885), marked by mourning for the death of the Queen's mother and her husband Albert in the same year and the Civil War in the United States among other events, with the influence of the archaeological discoveries of the moment and the technical innovations in the enameling and granulation of gold, and the frequent presence of gems; the Late Victorian or Aesthetic Period (1885-1901), marked by the discoveries of diamond mines in Africa, which made stones cheaper allowing for more frequent use in jewelry, more frequent use of ivory and soft color combinations, and a reduction the size of the works as a general rule. Measurements: 4.7 x 4.4 cm. Weight: 21.07 grams.

· Size: 4,7 x 4,4 cm.