Featured Origin of coral and leaf brooch

Bought this lovely brooch on eBay and would love to know where you think it’s come from or it’s age.
Thankyou for looking

 

Very nice, K. It looks German to me, 1890-1914ish.
Could even be a wartime sweetheart brooch, with a reference to the iron cross. I don't think it is a WWI mourning brooch, those usually had black enamel.
The Germans imported a lot of Italian coral.

 

Trombone clasp. I'll go with what aj thinks, with the only caveat being that trombones are often French.

 

But the 800 mark isn't.

 

I missed that!

 

Is the dimple in the coral natural or damage?

 

it is natural. Sloppy creatures, those coral beasties.

 

I thought it was natural, all part of the charm of coral.
That’s interesting about the iron cross reference, I didn’t think of that. I’ll do a bit more research and follow it up.
Thanks AJ and OBB

 

I think there is something about that in my Theodor Fahrner book, I'll see if I can find it. Your brooch isn't TF, but it is the same period.

 

Thankyou!

 

Nice piece, KSW - the more I look at it, the more I like it!

~Cheryl

 

K, I am more and more convinced that it is a war brooch, and as such a collector's piece.

There is something impressive and emotive about it. Even if it is WWI jewellery, it is good to remember that the German families lived in the same fear and mourning as the British, Belgian, French, etc families. Most people don't want war, and most people suffer during wars.

I found some WWI "war and mourning jewellery", including Iron Cross jewellery, in my Fahrner book.
There is also mention of the Iron Cross together with oak leaves, a symbol of bravery. The leaves on your brooch could represent oak leaves.

These Theodor Fahrner designs date from 1915:

 

I had it on watch and exactly the same as you, each time I looked at it I loved it more.

If it is, I appreciate it’s history and what it maybe meant to someone. This one is a keeper.

It seems beautifully made which was some of the attraction, that and I’ve not seen anything like it and I love to find out.

 

It really grows on you, doesn't it. I am glad you are keeping it, it is special.
And let's face it, silver and coral, what's not to like.

Looking at the roses, I also read they made a lot of jewellery with Virgin Mary symbolism, for consolation, maybe that is what the roses are there for.

 

It’s fascinating finding out that the little details aren’t always just decorative but that they actually mean something.
Thankyou for your insight

 

I am not a fan of jewelry and even I like it. Very nice.

 

Lol, that’s got to be the best compliment ever!

 

I'd have snarfed it. I am rather irritated at having missed a Scottish hardstone which went way too cheap on facebook. Feh.

And the symbolism thing is why I do like older jools. Knowing history is so key.