Victorian 18kt gold brooch with amethyst. 19th century. An 18-karat gold brooch featuring a fine hanging metal chain, ending in a gold safety pin designed to hold lightweight decorative elements or to attach to fabric, adding some movement to the piece. The focal point is a faceted oval amethyst, set in a fine setting to maintain attention from the gem's frame. This frame is formed by an elaborate and delicate composition: in the centers of the sides 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 scrolls flanking a leaf (which also features a fine plant decoration in light relief). This frame is visually attached to the gem by a series of elements reminiscent of fine ribbons, with a decoration similar to that of the aforementioned rectangular pieces. Historically, the Victorian Era began in 1837 with the coronation of a young Queen Victoria in England, and ended in 1901 with her death. It was the period of greatest development of the Industrial Revolution, something that also influenced jewelry thanks to important technological advances in virtually every field (water power, steam engines, gas, etc. influenced the machinery used), and England's broad political dominance allowed for the consideration of "exotic" materials from the colonies. Advances in machinery made it possible to slightly reduce jewelry costs, obtain new gem cuts with a greater number of facets (thanks to faster lathes), and introduced new alloys (the lowering of gold alloys starting in 1854 in England, the introduction of galvanization, etc.). As for the designs, these were always influenced by Queen Victoria's taste. Thus, in general, three stages can be distinguished: the Early Victorian or Romantic Period (c. 1837-1860), frequently inspired by the natural world; 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, influenced by archaeological discoveries of the time and technical developments in enamelling and gold granulation, and the frequent presence of gems; the Late Victorian or Aesthetic Period (1885-1901), marked by the discovery of diamond mines in Africa, which made stones cheaper, allowing for more frequent use in jewellery, more frequent use of ivory and soft colour combinations, and a general reduction in the size of works. Measurements: 4.7 x 4.4 cm. Weight: 21.07 grams.
· Size: 4,7 x 4,4 cm.
ANTIQUES
Ref.: JBR0196
