Featured Does anyone have an idea of how old this might be?

I found this but I had no clue what it was until I did an image search. Does anyone have an idea of how far back it goes? Is it 80s or 90s? I didn't know the history behind it when I got it, and to be honest, I still don't know much. Any information appreciated. Thank you

 

Welcome rish!
Search by Google images for blackamoor brooch!

 

Thank you. I have done but, but it comes up with a member for the royal family who wore it and was on the news.

 

Lol ! Oh the scandal ! i remember that ! No marks on the bale ?

 

Oops I don't know what happened to my reply. I just meant to say I had no clue of the scandal when I bought. I'll take a closer look when it arrives but I don't think it's real gold as the stones look glued on.

 

The elaborate reverse side seems like something that would have been done fairly recently. By that I mean, 1990s or later. Maybe others will recognize the design on the metal on the back.

I now remember about the brooch scandal.

 

NIIIIICE!!!!!!!



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I believe this will set you one the right course

https://www.gioiellivenezia.com/en/gioiello/economic-blackamoors/costume-jewelry-blackamoor-8/

 

So possibly more recent than I had believed. Thanks all for helping

 

Yep. The rhinestones alone said Modern, but the back says it's recent too.

 

This one just popped up on LiveAuctioneers.. https://www.liveauctioneers.com/ite..._20200423_A&utm_medium=email&utm_content=item

 

I hadn't heard of it either, but we have similar issues here in the Netherlands.
This is a time when we are becoming more sensitive to the feelings of others, and rightly so.
But it is also a time when many things are not understood properly, especially by the loudest voices on either side of an issue. Largely the result of the devaluation of knowledge and insight.

Here is some information on the actual background of your brooch, maybe it will make you feel a bit better for buying it:
https://www.acis.org.au/2018/01/05/a-racist-brooch-the-venetian-origins-of-a-royal-jewel

But be aware that many people won't know the real background, and could feel offended by it.

 

I see that author of that article decided to use it to make a snide dig at the duchess. He may have a valid point about the history of the piece, but as ever, it became a dig at the black woman who had the temerity to marry a royal. It's her money, she earned it, unlike the family she married in to, and how she chooses to spend it is up to her.

And as for the unspeakable woman who thought it acceptable to wear at the lunch, she has history. Rather a lot of it.

 

Please explain to us furrinners, is Meghan Markle the duchess?

Being Dutch I never understood the fuss about Meghan Markle anyway. We have several Dutch Indonesian royals, and no one ever thought it a problem.
It is even possible that all our present royals are part Indonesian, because the German husband of the late queen Juliana is said to have descended from an enslaved Indonesian girl.

'Our' princess Laurentien, married to a brother of the king. She is Dutch-Indonesian and very popular:

 

Yes, Meghan. The last paragraph of the article has a dig at her for wearing an expensive dress to her engagement. Her dress, bought with her money, earned as an actress. It's interesting, shall we say, to compare how the two brothers' wives were and are treated by cat litter tray lining newspapers.

I'd heard the Indonesian thing, it's not a surprise, given colonialism. We've had at least two black queens but that gets forgotten in the noise.

I do have a couple of Selro blackamoor pieces, I'd not wear them.

 

That's exactly it, cat litter tray liners.

We live in one world, and Europe has had contact with Africa and Asia for thousands of years. Age old trade led to relationships, in all levels of society, and throughout history. Sometimes those relationships were even necessary to be able to trade.

 

Phoenicians in Cornwall. Makes for some interesting genes.

 

Tin, to make bronze.

Many Cornish have olive skin and dark hair. So do many Dutch btw. Maybe because the Dutch have a fairly high percentage of Berber/Amazigh genes, more than most Europeans. No idea how though. Shipping? The Spanish occupation? Or much older?

 

The dark eyed olive skin thing shows up in Devon as well, my mother in law had it.

There's also the genetics of the colouring sometimes called Black Irish. Bright green eyes, jet black hair.