Featured Iberian Flower Head Brooch

One of my the best pieces in my collection, this one.I bought this beauty online a few months ago, because from the pictures I immediately recognised what it was.
It was sold as beeing a silver brooch from around 1890-1900 because of the hinge and clasp, so I got it for a steal.
In reality, it got converted to a brooch around that time.
It started life a lot earlier: its Portuguese, from around 1760-1780, silver with orange topaz, set on colored foil to improve the colors. The topaz was mined in Brazilian mines at the time.
It probably started life as a hair ornament.
I ll show you some pictures from a very interesting book I own

 

Very interesting book...if you get the chance to buy it, go for it!

 

Great find, and gorgeous, Dessert.
Your find shows the power of knowledge, in this case your knowledge. Well done!

In general: Brooch closures get replaced regularly over time. Using a clasp etc to date a brooch is just one way of several, you need more knowledge to be certain.

In this case I would also have thought made in the late-ish 18th century, although I would have had to do more research to find Portugal as country of origin.

 

Any Jewelry: being a stay at home mom has a disadvantage (less money) but also lots of advantages: nice for the kids, and LOTS of me-time during school hours to read (jewelry) books and search the internet for great deals

 

Those outer stones are so clear, I thought they were missing.

 

So true.
I am also an armchair buyer, but on a very small budget. Doesn't matter, knowledge and a good eye help a lot in finding hidden gems.

Do you have "Juwelen en mensen" by M.H. Gans? I can recommend it.
Although its main focus is on the jewels of the Dutch and other aristocracy between 1400 and 1900, it is a great study of styles, developments and makers as well. And he expands on European jewellery fashions and interactions of designers.
It is one of those Dutch language must-have books.
I see there is one on Bol at the moment, but I got mine for a little less than their price. Shop around or buy that one, it is certainly worth the money.

I haven't found "Tover van edelstenen" yet, only a reference to it, but it is on my list.

 

Moreotherstuff: all stones are there, its just my bad photography-quality you are seeing

 

Any Jewelry, I m also on a very tight budget, selling my ordinary stuff to afford the better pieces and having some
shear luck for the really good stuff from time to time.
But indeed: good luck, knowledge and a good eye help you go a long way with little.

Thanks for the tip. I will keep my eyes open for 'Juwelen en Mensen'!

 

Oh, that's a very fine thing.

 

And it still looks perfect.

 

Thanks, Dessert! Interesting an informative post!! Gorgeous piece, and well done with your excellent research and finding this treasure.

Especially appreciate you sharing the information, photographing the book and relevant pages so we can learn, too. If I ever run across similar, I'll be ready with this knowledge.

Beautiful piece.

 

yer pics are fine.....but so too, are the stones !!

u have a nice hand......which kinda works to tell the size....but a neutral background, would serve u better !!

 

I would never have guessed that old. It is a style that seems to be ageless. Goog score.

 

AnyJewelry: its not perfect, one stone has a chip. But taking in account its age, thats not bad at all.
Komokwa: Finding the right background is not always in my mind when I take pictures. I m usually just happy I found my phone and the piece I wanted to photograph (chaos is everywhere around me)

 

Busy mum, toys, school books, laundry, etc.

 

Thank you for sharing, this is so lovely. It looks as though yours could be the exact same one from the book, it is such a close match. Please share more favorites from your collection as time allows!

 

I love the way we can see some of the added tint to the foil under some of the stones, and I don’t think that’s a trick of photography or lighting, is it?
Also love the varied shapes of the stones and how they were combined to create the individual petals.
Thank you greatly for sharing, and for the book recommendation.

 

Rufus@frockstarvintage, no you are right, you can see the added tint to the foil.
You are very welcome