Featured Help with research

Hi guys, I'm trying to research this gorgeous brooch which came in a bulk online auction of cheap jewelry. I'm pretty sure it's gold and amethyst, though it's unmarked. The clasp is not one I've seen before - perhaps a pre-cursor to the current style.

I would love to have an idea of age, country of origin and what it is so I can research it further.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

The clasp looks like a sloppy replacement.

 

Oh possibly as there's a bit of silverish metal to the side that I thought was a repair. thanks

 

Is is possible to re-take your pictures.....and back away a bit?? They're quite blurry............Thanks!!

 

it's very pretty...

 

Yes I was thinking that myself, not sure why they are, I'll try again.

 

Thanks Komokwa - I think so too.

 

Sorry not sure they're much better ?!

 

That's exactly what it is. This type appeared in the early 20th century. If they were as unreliable when new as I find many of them these days, no wonder there was demand for a better design. Some of them you can hear & feel snap shut; they stay closed well. On some the mechanism moves freely up & down; these are liable to opening spontaneously, sometimes with unwanted consequences.

Although not an extreme example of the form, brooches in this shape are said to have been inspired by Halley's comet, which made an appearance in 1910.

It is a strongly built piece. I think you are correct that it is gold & amethyst. I sometimes see this paler color referred to as 'rose de France'.

 

Thanks so much Bronwen, very interesting.

 

@Dory64, That IS a lovely pin/brooch!! I ran it through a 'clarifying' filter, cleared it up a bit!! It also looks like it may be signed on the inside 'barrel' edge, right side of the MIDDLE image, but then also I see some printing on the LAST image, flat left side, I THINK (maybe numbers??). I can mark where if you need me to......I'm not POSITIVE as the filters on occasion will do a little distorting if I'm not very careful!!!! Have you tried cleaning it with a Q-tip and a little polish carefully yet?





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Wow - Aquitaine, where is that filter? I have Photo shop, but have never used it on phone photos. I can't see any signature or writing on it with a jewelers loupe but no I haven't tried cleaning it yet. Will give it a go and see what I can find. thanks heaps.

 

I used Photoshop for some work (cropping, editing, etc) but have other filters from a company called TOPAZ where sometimes they can do an amazing job! But you do have to be careful with them or they will "over-process" an image too!!! It's all on my computer!!! (Where I spend waay too much time!!!)

 

You don't give the measurements, but given construction, with the two loops on upper section which may have tiny pearls dangles and the brooch system being a later installation (around 1910s), my bet is on a 1880s earring dangle!

May have dangle from another round motif attached to the earring hook...


Once you lost one of the pair, this is a way to continue enjoying it

 

I agree, the style is 1880s, Aesthetic movement.
It could have been an earring, although I am not entirely sure yet. Whatever its original purpose, it is lovely.

The clasp is an early safety clasp, which came into use in the 1890s, so your thinking was correct. Since the jewel itself is older than the clasp, it is a replacement.
These early safety clasps were handmade, and closing quality varied. Yours looks good though.

 

When I first saw this I thought it was far to big to be an earring - 3cm by 2cm but then I tried it and thought actually it could be!

 

Thanks AJ, yes it is lovely and the clasp does seem to work well, stays closed as it should.

 

I looks like both the hinge and clasp were added later, and I'd guess it was converted when the owner lost one of her earrings. Then the C clasp quit on her.

 

I agree with Bronwen that this is a Halley's comet brooch. They came in many shapes and used a variety of stones.

 

Ohhh I ve been on the lookout for one of those forever...surely a Halleys comet brooch!