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Fine Early Victorian Vermeil Filigree Posy Brooch
browse these categories for related items... All Items: Estate Jewelry: Gold: Victorian: Pre 1900: item # 121531 GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear 56 Calle Monte Aplanado, NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 Phone: 505.205.1404 Guest Book $130 SALE (Reduced from $150) Free U.S. Priority Shipping (& Gift Wrap if Desired) |
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When Napoleon's newly established court was magnificent in its luxury, the Empress Josephine was famously fond of cameos. Less well-known was the passion she shared with fashionable ladies of the court for jewels made of vermeil (gold on silver) filigree. Their heyday, which began in the 18th century, would end about as soon as the Empire. The reason why? It was discovered that the mercury then used to create "silver gilt" caused craftsmen to go blind. Many years would pass before a safer process was developed in early Victorian times: electroplating, which debuted in the 1840s. This marvelous brooch dates from that period, when women could finally enjoy gilt silver filigree again, without its taking a toll in human misery. Beautifully hand-crafted, this Early Victorian jewel bears the European silvermark 800, a star and the markings 18 GE - meaning it's surfaced with rich 18 karat gold, rather than the more common 14k. So little of the plate has been lost that wear is apparent only under extreme magnification. Besides its obvious historic interest to collectors, this is a very beautiful and feminine jewel any woman would delight in wearing. Gorgeously hand-crafted in floral form, it's almost an inch round and naturally has the old C clasp right for its period. Close inspection shows its elongated pinstem was at some point snipped for greater comfort. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking! |
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