Pretty sterling (?) filigree leaf pin

This is a pretty leaf pin, marked sterling silver 925 Portugal on the back. It measures 2 1/2" x 1 5/8". I did Google this and found similar pins but they are all marked with the name Topazio. Is anyone familiar with this style/design? I am wondering if this is a simple knock off of Topazio? The clasp is different (much more rudimentary on the hinge end). Any reason to believe it may not even be sterling? I cleaned it up a little with a sunshine cloth. Is the gold tone a gold wash or would I be way off base saying that? Not sure if the dark areas are applied patina or natural. Is this piece vintage or newer? Your thoughts are appreciated! I started this post on my iPad but had to resize photos...they will follow this post...I hope...

 

Topazio is a Portugal company which I believe was big in the fifties. It was filigree, lots of leaves and natural shapes. Let me hustle up some specifics for ya!

 

I found a few pieces similar-looking... this is the only hallmark that said Topazio... all others had some other name, with "sterling" and/or "Portugal".
Does this mean there are numerous knock-offs of the true Topazio? I don't know...

 

Without the Topazio stamp it could have been made by any of the hundreds of filigree makers in the country.Leaves and flowers are a common subject ,a knockoff ,probably not.

 

What surprises me about this brooch is the lack of Portugal silver hallmarks, assay marks. The assay marks have an animal head denoting the city of assay with the silver purity under it.

Top of right column has a little on Portuguese assay marks. Click the link for current marks.
http://www.925-1000.com/foreign_marks3.html

Here is a query about a Portugal filigree vermeil leaf brooch on the 925-1000 silver forum:
http://925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=37230#p100030

Nowwww, I'm certainly not up on Portuguese silver markings. There is a very good chance the assay marks aren't necessary any more. Hopefully others like Cheryl, Baker will come along with more info.

--- Susan

 

I don't know any more than you do, Susan.

But, an observation - could be something or not. The enlarged version of the pic of the mark reveals that there are 3 tiny "dots" between the words sterling and silver. Perhaps one (the center one?) is an assay mark? Could just be there to balance off the way the mark looks (reflecting the 925 numerals below "silver.") Since the Topazio example doesn't have a feature like that, it's hard to say.

 

Yes, I noticed those dots too. All similar marks I can find so far include the Topazio name; no dots. What about the style of the clasp hinge? Could that help to date/identify it?

 

It's not Topazio, as already said, produced by another one of numerous Portuguese filigree manufacturers - does look like that might be a maker's mark between 'sterling' and 'silver'. Seldom see Portuguese hallmarks on their filigree jewelry, doubt they have enough weight to require assay, plus it's difficult to stamp filigree, the reason the marks are on an applied plate.

Ferreira Marques & Irmão's 'Topazio' brand was introduced in 1934 - they are still in business: http://topazio.pt/#/en/home

~Cheryl

 

Seeing no one has ventured a guess on dating the clasp, I'd guess mid 20th century or later. It seems to be a modern safety clasp. Believe the modern safety clasps have been used since the 1930s with this one relatively new. Please wait for more knowledgeable jewelry gurus to chine in.

--- Susan

 

I'd guess 1960s or so on this one. These filigree pieces were made by tons of Portuguese silver factories. I've found them with hallmarks, but tiny doesn't begin to describe it. Look for things that look like small flaws, and get them under a loupe; the Portuguese love to hide marks.

 

So I did one more google search with fewer key words ('portugal filigree leaf pin -topazio' instead of 'vintage filigree leaf pin sterling silver 925 portugal'). As usual, less is more; I am slowly learning that. I found one pin with the exact same round hallmark plate on the back. This was on eBay and the seller did not attempt to identify maker. But it looks like the 'dots' might actually be stars. I guess the actual maker is a moot point anyway. The other one was on RL and had the same style hinge. The hallmarks on that pin are actually on the pin stem and very tiny (as described by evelyb30...thanks!). She dates the pin possibly as early as 1920s based on the maker and pin assembly (although the clasp part may have been replaced). Thanks to everyone for your input! It's been fun researching this. When I first saw it I actually thought it was one of those electro-formed leafs, but then looked closer.

 

I think it's really elegant. Would be especially beautiful against a vivid jewel-tone fabric.