Details
A remarkable antique Victorian Etruscan Revival mourning brooch, exquisitely crafted in warm 18ct yellow gold, with a large silver pave-set turquoise encrusted dome bulging from the centre, topped with a twinkling old mine cut diamond. The heavy gold design with smooth gold spheres and detailed beading are classic characteristics of the Etruscan Revival style that swept Victorian fashion following the discovery of ancient Etruscan tombs in Italy and Greece in the mid 19th Century.
Hidden on the reverse is a round locket compartment containing a delicate lock of fair hair, preserved for over a century behind a glass window. Together with the white enamel palmettes - symbolising innocence and purity - and the sky-blue turquoise, traditionally associated with remembrance and the forget-me-not flower, the brooch tells a deeply moving story of the loss of a child, with the central diamond representing their eternal spirit, forever twinkling like a solitary star in the heavens above. It was likely worn by a grieving mother as both a fashionable statement piece and a heartfelt reminder of her loss.
A rare and highly collectable example of Victorian mourning jewellery, this exceptional gold brooch combines superb 19th-century craftsmanship, rich symbolism, and poignant sentiment. It was clearly very dear to its original owner and has been kept in pristine condition.
WEIGHT: 16.5 grams
MEASURES: Height 36mm x Width 44mm x Depth 17mm – Locket 16 x 16mm
METAL: Silver/ Yellow Gold (Tested 18ct)
STONES: Turquoise, Diamond (approx. 0.05ct)
AGE: Victorian. (Circa 1860 – 1880)
MARKS: No marks, typical for items made before hallmarking legislation was introduced.
CONDITION: Excellent, wear commensurate with age.
ITEM NUMBER: AJ680
