Victorian Style Vintage Brooch with Rubies, Pearl and Diamonds, Birmingham 1975

Brooches in the shape of luminous celestial bodies were very fashionable in the late 19th century. Moons, suns and stars, shooting stars and comets were created in ever new variations in the studios of goldsmiths throughout Europe. Sometimes the designs were executed in gold and pearls, then in diamonds in silver settings, or even richly set with colored gemstones: stars, suns and moons were a must in every jewelry box. Empress Elisabeth of Austria was certainly a famous inspiration for this style. She wore diamond stars in her flowing dark hair - Winterhalter's famous portrait shows Sisi in full starry splendor. However, the fashion was not limited to Austria, it was in fact international and remained popular until the beginning of the 20th century. The brooch presented here was created in memory of the jewellery of the Victorian era. We see a crescent made of diamonds and rubies mounted on a gold pin with a transverse bearing. Another ruby and a diamond mark the ends of the bar. A shimmering Akoya pearl occupies the center of the design. The diamonds are set in white gold, while all other parts of the brooch are made of yellow gold. The hallmark on the back reveals that the brooch was made in Birmingham in 1975. Apparently, a nostalgic look back at those years was considered chic: the blaze of color in glowing red, gold and white is also typical of the 1970s. We discovered the brooch in London. It is in very good condition and impressed us not least because of its very high-quality fittings: the diamonds are of very good quality, as are the rubies, and the gold is high-carat.

Estimate:£1,681.87

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