Well I'm quite tired now after galavanting around the forums this evening, but its been a very good thrifting day! I have MANY questions about this little brooch. It so badly wants to be Napoleon III (1850-90), but perhaps my inexpert eyes are getting in my way. Here's my observations, correct away as you see fit! Very light, with stamped (?) metal, so mass produced? Seed pearl, but haphazardly mouted Hardware/pin length are right, and of good quality, but that clasp looks awfully shiny and new looking (not as visible on the pics, but there's a clear difference between it and the pin and hinge) The clasp is stamped with a makers mark by the looks of things, but the name plate on the back wasn't done in those days, isn't that a sign of a 20th century piece? I thought pre 1900 pieces would have stamps, not plates. Here's the kicker, there are many similar pieces with the FIX plate on the back, and all of the listings describe it as Nap III (hence my mention) and gold plated. What is to be learned here? TYIA!
I've come across a few overhere as well, but know nothing about FIX. The back is very promising. It is a lovely brooch any way, nice find. Tagging @kyratango .
Here's information about FIX from a previous thread. https://www.antiquers.com/threads/wwi-era-religious-jewelry-items-mens.48980/ Debora
Thank you both! Good to know the name plate was also used in earlier eras, and not just the 20th. I really need to start using that search feature here more often haha! Just read a little on Savard's life, very interesting!
Looking on one biography page, I found this mark, which could very possibly the full version of mine... This would put it after 1878 if I'm reading it correctly.
You have an oldie, the quality of these is top! FIX had a great collection during the Art Nouveau period, fun to collect before the prices rise...
Oh goodness, just when I think I'm getting the hang of this! I didn't think the way the stamped portion looked and the pearl was mounted was very quality, and that together with the lightness of the whole thing. That's why I had questions, because the hardware and top portion looked nice, and who puts a pearl in cheap jewelry? My only guess was the pearl was a replacement for a stone, and so it wasn't as professionally done. I've definitely got my euro's worth out of this class! Thank you all. Online unfortunately the prices are already quite high, you're lucky to get one under 30 euros on ebay. I'll keep my peepers peeled at the few vide greniers we have left!
Antique gold jewellery was often very lightweight because of the price of gold. There were fewer gold mines than today. A lot of solid-looking jewellery was hollow, or the cavity was filled with a natural resin for strength.
In France and surrounding countries we still find many of these brooches. FIX is indeed good quality and they had some very good designers working for them in the old days. I prefer finding real gold/silver but oria/Fix etc are good second places
and who puts a pearl in cheap jewelry? it's done all the time..! and the pearl was mounted;; that mounting style is well known.....even for more expensive items..
Oh good to know, I'll make note of that for future looking. I'll keep my eyes open for both of those marks, thanks! Ya learn something all the time it seems. Hmm interesting on the mounting style, the edges just looked so rough, like its been stabbed at a little. Obviously just my imagination given the information here! Thanks.
