Featured Brooch

Hi, I have a challenge for you. There is a brooch identification of which I think is good for my further practice in antiques. My questions are: Victorian? Etruscan revival? Is there a possibility of it being gold? What about the stone?

 

Definite possibility of gold. If gold then stone an amethyst, not glass. Style? You haven't shown us the front. Age, turn of the 20th century. (Late Victorian.)

 

A good photo of the damaged/replaced area near the hinge might help. It would need testing since everything but the hinge/pin and c clasp is coated with solder.

 

Thank you! The c- clasp has some green spots, is there a possibility of such tarnish on gold?

 

Hmm. Not such a good sign. Do they come off easily? Holly will know if the copper that can be alloyed with the gold can produce such a bloom.

 

24K will not have green spots(verdigris),any other gold with copper as an alloy can.

 

Victorian depends on where it is from. Pin hinges and clasps are often used for dating, but that can be difficult when a brooch was made outside the cultural area the usual dating is based on.

Did you buy it in Mexico? The style of the filigree looks like it could be Mexican, in which case it could be as late as the 1920s.
I suspect Mexico has its own period terminology, but you would know more about that. Victoria never ruled over Mexico.

Etruscan Revival is characterised by fine granules and wires applied to surfaces. If a piece is open filigree only, like this cutie, it is not Etruscan Revival.

This is an example of the Etruscan Revival style:


https://eriebasin.com/products/1880s-etruscan-revival-bracelet-2

 

Thank you so much for your replies. I still haven't bought it, I wanted to learn what it can be first of all. It's one of these mistery items that made me curious about their origin. I felt it's styled as Etruscan revival but as AnyJewelry comments (thanks!) If it's filgree, it can't be. The seller does not mention if it was tested, the metal and stone, and she sells it as costume (but the likeness is different as for me). It's UK-based, so could be pretty much Victorian.

 

Is there no photo of the front?