Brooch

hi could someone give me any idea how old this brooch is please believe it’s gold and carved shell
Cheers

 

It is helmet shell. Please add a photo of the back showing the hinge & clasp, which are often the best indicators of age on a brooch.

In a rudimentary way, it appears to be Psyche.

 

It’s helpful to show the back. The construction of the hinge and length of the pin gives indications to date. As just said by Bronwen as I was about to reply!

 

The crimping around the top edge of the bezel raises the possibility that the cameo is not original to the mount. My initial impression, without seeing the back, is that the cameo is much newer.

 

From the combination of hinge and lever clasp, and the length of the pin beyond the clasp, I would say ca 1900-1910 for the brooch. As Bronwen said, the cameo could have been put in later, the crimping looks a bit crude.

 

I think it’s gold but as no marks , what do you think ? Cheers

 

Not so unusual for a country like Italy. It looks gold to me, but you can have it tested. There is a bit of wear, but no other metal showing through, so solid, I think.
The clasp looks a bit silvery, but maybe that is just the photo. These lever safety clasps were often ready made, so it could also be a different gold fineness.

 

The clasp is gold it’s just the light . Do you think it as much value ? Cheers

 

@Bronwen will know more about that.

 

The clasp is from the earlier part of the 20th century, but also appears to be a replacement, something that is very common, whether because original snapped off or owner wanted something more secure than a basic C clasp. (In my experience, most clasps like this one are not more secure, having a way of opening on their own & letting the pin drop out.)



Some evidence the pin stem has also been altered. Replaced and/or had the bend added professionally to shorten it as well as to raise it to meet the clasp properly.

Changes to the findings muddy the age picture.

Despite the crimping - maybe the cameo became loose? - as well as I can make out from the photos, the bezel follows the unique contours of the shell. If that is correct, have to conclude mount is original to the cameo.

To be brutally blunt, the cameo is not very good, so it would be surprising if the setting is solid gold, but still possible. When gold wasn't being sold by the molecule, it was used more liberally. Think this would be 9ct, at most. Otherwise gold filled or pinchbeck. No way for us to assess this.

So helmet shell cameo of Psyche, turn of the 20th century, is my best shot.

 

Depends on the quality of the metal & your definition of 'much'.

 

Thank you for all that great information as I know nothing about jewellery. Paid £27 for it so hopefully worth a little more cheers

 

Pretty sure it was not set in Italy. Those 800 silver filigree settings you see are Italian, but it is more likely this was imported as part of a lot to a jeweller in England & set there, or brought back by a tourist, ditto.

 

Good luck.

 

That hinge is late 19th into early 20th, anyhow.

 

Yeah, if you really think it's gold, I would take it to a coin shop or jewelry shop and have it scanned or acid tested. Good luck!