VICTORIAN~LARGE 18K GOLD BROOCH~TURQUOISE ENAMEL~1860~ESTATE~SUPERB CONDITION~

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VICTORIAN~LARGE 18K GOLD BROOCH~TURQUOISE ENAMEL~1860~ESTATE~SUPERB CONDITION~:
$1275.00

VERY RARE ~ TRUE VICTORIAN ~ LARGE ANTIQUE BROOCH WITH TURQUOISE COLOR ENAMELING ~ MOVING/DANGLING & ORNATE PIECE ~ CIRCA 1860 ~ SOLID 18K YELLOW GOLD ~AMAZING CONDITION ~ ESTATE PURCHASED ~ WOW!

OFFERED FOR SALE IS A VERY UNSUAL & UNIQUE ~ LARGE ANTIQUE VICTORIAN FINE ENAMELING AND SOLID 18K GOLD LADY\'S BROOCH/PIN.... THIS IMPORTANT VICTORIAN BROOCH MEASURES 2 1/4 INCHES OR 55MM TALL (HIGH) BY 1 3/8 OR 35MM WIDE WITH SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT OF 14 GRAMS...THIS DESTINCTIVE BROOCH IS COMPOSED OF THREE SECTIONS THE TOP WHICH LOOKS LIKE A BULL HORNS WITH A ROUND DISC IN THE CENTER HAS TWO GOLD SCROLLS WITH GOLD BALL ENDS AT THE SHOLDERS AND GOLD BALLS AT THE ENDS OF POSTS RADIATING OUT ALL THE WAY AROUND THE CENTER DISC... THERE ARE ALSO INTRICATEENGRAVEDDESIGNS INSIDE BOTH PIECES OF ENAMELING WORK AND TWO HEART SHAPED DROPS THAT DANGLE OFF THE ENDS OF THE BULL HORNS.... THE SECOND SECTION IS THE CONNECTION PIECE IN THE CENTER WHICH IS AN ENAMELED LOOP AND ROUND GOLD RING WITH 5 LARGE ROUND GOLD BALLS AT THE ENDS OF GOLD POSTS.... HERE AGAIN THE TURQUOISE ENAMEL WORK INSIDE THE CONNECTION LOOP HAS FANCY HAND ENGRAVED DESIGNS... THE THIRD SECTION OF THIS GREAT BROOCH IS A LARGE OVAL RING IN BLUE ENAMEL WITH 5 HEART SHAPED DANGLE DROPS OFF THE BOTTOM SECTION ALL WITH ENGRAVED DESIGNSAND 9 GOLD BALLS ON EACH SIDE OF THE OVAL RING AS DECORATION... THE CENTER OF THE OVAL RING ALSO HAS AN EXTENSIVE DECORATION OF HAND ENGAVED DESIGN WITHIN THE TURQUOISE ENAMELINGL...THE BACK OF THIS BROOCH HAS AN OLD PIN CLOSURE MECHANISM FOR SAFE AND EASY WEAR ~ WITH AN ANTIQUE \"C\" STYLE CLOSURE SYSTEM AS SHOWN IN ONE OF MY PHOTOS.... ALL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION ~ THIS ANTIQUE BROOCH IS CIRCA 1860 AND IS COMPLETE WITH ALL OF ITS ORIGINAL PARTS, IT IS WITHOUT DAMAGE, REPAIRS OR FAULTS TO ANY OF THE BEAUTIFUL, PERIOD ENAMEL WORK ~ WHICH IS MOST UNUSUAL AND EXCEEDLING RARE.... RECENTLY ESTATE PURCHASED AND NOW OFFERED FOR SALE ~ WOW!

The Victorian Era (1837-1901)

The Victorian era is the longest running period in all of jewelry history. It began in 1837 when Queen Victorian ascended to the British throne, and ended with her death in 1901. The era was shaped not only by her personal life and contributions, but also by the industrial revolution. This 64-year timeframe is generally divided into three distinct phases, beginning with the Romantic Period.

Early Victorian (Romantic Period) 1837-1861

Queen Victoria ascended to the English throne and married Prince Albert in 1837. By all accounts it was a happy marriage that contributed to the romantic nature of jewelry. Sentimental themes dominated the early Victorian period. The interest in romance created a wave of revivalism, a nostalgic review of eras gone by. Jewelry appeared more natural and three-dimensional. It was often symbolic, with each image having its own sentimental attachment or meaning. The snake symbolized eternity, guardian spirit and wisdom, or everlasting love, when displayed with tail in its mouth. Flowers were tokens of sentiment, as well as a reflection of nature. Clasped hands illustrated friendship or good luck. A wreath represented mourning. Hair, whether human or horse, became a popular jewelry fashion - once again as an expression of sentiment. Artisans created amulets, brooches, bracelets and hair ornaments incorporating these motifs. The bracelets, specifically bangles, were the most popular item of the time and were often worn in multiples.

The general gaiety of life transferred to jewelry design in the form of tassels and fringes. These additions created playfulness in design. Interest also grew in Scottish jewelry, and jewelry set en tremblant. Important technological advances ushered in by the machine age had a lasting effect on the jewelry industry: the invention of 1840, introduction of rolled gold-plating to the United States in 1848, and legalization of 9k electroplating in gold in England in 1854.

Mid Victorian (Grand Period) 1861-1880

While much of the focus at this time was on England, jewelry movements were carrying on simultaneously throughout the world, notably in France and America. Jewelry continued to be worn mainly by the wealthy class. Women favored bangles, jarretiere and slide bracelets, brooches, necklaces, and lorgnettes. Gentlemen developed an interest in jewelry as well, preferring cufflinks, signet rings, stickpins, shirt studs, and watch chains with fobs. Designer\'s continued to express an interest in Revivalism, branching out to explore Etruscan, Renaissance, Egyptian, and archeological themes. Micromosaics and pietra dura were their most common form. This interest peaked in the 1860s - 1870s. International exhibitions promoted exotic arts, styles and motifs such as scarabs, tiger\'s claws and Mogul jewelry.

1861 dealt a major blow to society with the death of Prince Albert. This event threw the Queen into a period of mourning that lasted until the end of her reign in 1901. Black jewelry, which represented bereavement, evolved as the only acceptable jewelry form. Materials such as jet, black onyx, black enamel or taille d\' epargne and black glass rose to prominence. Brooches, large oval gold and gold-filled lockets on chains were popular forms of mourning jewelry.

Gold discoveries in Australia and the United States made the material readily available and more affordable for jewelry design. Two new styles developed out of the accessibility; native gold, wherein actual gold nuggets were placed into miniature mining replicas, and gold-in-quartz, which featured thins slabs of white quartz with actual gold deposits. The latter was popular with the well to do in the United States.