Featured Another Bug From My Shoebox

Hi everyone
This is another little treasure (or not) from my shoebox.
@kyratango now that I know how addicted you are to these little bugs I thought you might like take a look. It has an Egyptian feel to it and perhaps brass? I'm keen to get an idea of age if possible please.

 

victorian, Egyptian Revival, Damascene. Might be a little Syrian tourist piece.

 

Thanks!! My Grandfather was posted in Cyprus for a bit so same sort of area so not sure if a coincidence. Dates don't quite match up though. Do you think the inlay is gold or is that wishful thinking

 

The inlay might be gold, but it will only be very thin.

Stuff travels.

 

Not sure there’s an overlap between Egyptian revival and Damascene, Damascene usually has distinct silver accents. If it’s not real gold, but fall under the Middle Eastern/“orientalist” stamp, then it’s referred to as “Toledoware” (the cheaper version of Damascene produced in the famous home of Toledo steel in Spain).

The Economist just did a great article or 19th century archaeo-tourism through Egypt, so it could definitely come from Egypt— there was a market!

Here’s some of my Toledoware for comparison:

 

Not all Damascene comes from Toledo. And not all has silver.

Toledoware, strictly speaking is that pressed and coloured metal,often not even brass. Toledo produces both of course.

 

These are claimed to be 1920s, but the back on yours is older.

 

I have been looking online but this is the only similar type of brooch I can find but this is Japanese. Similar shape.

 

@Ownedbybear I do like those bracelets. Do they actually have colour in them?

 

Do you tell that from the fastening? I'm referring to the age of the piece.

 

That was the first thing I thought of, Japanese Amita, adapted to the fashion of Egyptian Revival jewellery. Very unusual, but it could be.

 

The C-clasp is probably the oldest brooch clasp in the world, but still used.
The hinge was introduced in the 1890s, but its use was widespread from ca 1910-1940. It is still used in some parts of the world.
For Amita ware with that hinge I would think ca 1920s.

 

Amita would make sense, good point about the shape, aj. And 20s would fit with the later revival. Howard Carter and all that.

The bracelets have gold inlay, rather than gold and silver.

 

The Japanese pieces are more attractive than the one I have and also look better made?

 

@i need help it is very similar. Good find!! What is the best way to clean this type if metal?

 

Thank you for your input

 

True, Komai is one of the damascene making families, and I would expect a mark.

First a wipe with alcohol to clean any gunge off. Then sunshine cloth to bring the gold back to life.

 

Here are some marks of the Komai family:



http://www.smokingsamurai.com/ARTISTS.html

Frankly, I don't see any marks on your butterfly, and I suspect there were none on the other butterfly either. They just put a famous name in the title to attract (confuse) buyers.
Mind you, Amita is also a brand name.

Komai pieces look a bit like the buckle I posted in this thread:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/b...-la-hoarditorium-pt-trois.50362/#post-2239702