Featured Salamander / Lizard Brooch

Picked up an interesting brooch this morning at the flea market. Seems to have some age to it. 3 inches long. Haven't seen anything like it while browsing around online so far. Thought i'd see if others see anything that stands out for ID purposes.

 

Very attractive, Kronos! Not only the lizard, but those pale yellow stones, an' the way they're set; Jelly Opals? Then the beautifully graduated Sapphires or Emeralds? along the backbone...is the setting sterling or white gold? I would have grabbed that in a a heartbeat, Thanks!

 

ya , the open back settings are a classy touch !

 

I did not find anything similar.

 

Pretty! My first thought was yellow scapolite cabs, based on the silky inclusions.

 

The surrounding stones photograph a bit like cat's eye chrysoberyl, but I think they & the ones along the lizard's spine are glass. Looks like someone tried, unsuccessfully, to glue the missing stone back in.

I love lizards as a motif.

 

Stones, alas; I see two open settings. It's a pretty awesome find. Most of what I find her "Oh it's Vinage like you asked for. It's 90s."

 

The lizard is pretty detailed. Brow ridges, nostrils, a mouth. I like how it has its hands resting on the stones. I think this piece is "costume" - non precious metal/material. Still feels like a higher quality piece though. Kinda surprised there's nothing easily findable out there for comparison.

I got another fun piece that was marked as from Countess Cis Zoltowska. About 3 inches long.

 

Nice glow under UV light.

 

Very nice. Looks like the cabochons are its eggs, and it is guarding them.

They do look like scapolite. And scapolite also reacts to UV. Glass is more likely, especially because the 'stones' along its back look like glass.

So do I. I used to wear a lizard ring as a teen.

 

It's a shame you are missing 2 of those yellowish stones

 

The empty frames could be clipped off without unbalancing the piece.

 

I thought they might be "eggs" also. I actually have one loose stone. Both empty spaces have one prong that's been damaged. If there were to be alteration, i'd think the one at the front near the head would be the one to take out. Kinda just awkwardly sticks out.

 

Fascinating brooch. I've never seen anything like it.

 

Nice piece.
Rhinestone Rosie, in Seattle, can replace stones; can do by mail, reasonable prices. My wife uses her often.
Rhinestone Rosie – Vintage, Estate and Antique Jewelry Sales, Repair and Evaluation

 

Tried asking about it in 3 different jewelry groups on FB and no one even offered a guess as to maker. Lots of thumbs up/hearts though.