Victorian brooch in 18 kt gold with amethyst. XIX century.
18-karat gold clasp that has a thin hanging metal chain, finished in a golden safety pin designed to hold decorative elements of little weight or to be fixed to the fabric, providing some movement to the jewel. The center of attention is a faceted cut oval amethyst, finely set so as not to divert attention from the gem's frame. It is made up of an elaborate and delicate composition: in the center of the sides there are four rectangular shaped pieces with curved minor ends, decorated with fine plant elements and classicist souvenir scrolls; these elements are interspersed with two concave volutes that flank a leaf (which also presents a fine vegetable decoration in slight relief); this frame is attached to the gem, visually, a series of elements reminiscent of fine ties 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 passing. It was the period 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 to take into account "exotic" materials from the colonies. Advances in machinery make it possible to slightly lower costs in jewelry, obtain new cuts in gems with a greater number of facets (thanks to a higher speed in the lathes), novelties in alloys (reduction of the gold bands since 1854 in England, introduction of galvanization ...), etc. As for the designs, these 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 from 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 Alberto in the same year and the Civil War in the United States among other events, influenced by 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 by allowing 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.
ANTIQUES