Featured Coral brooch?

Hi,
I had this brooch for a while, I did a bit of research is carved coral brooch.
I would like your opinion on what type of brooch is it and how old. Can anyone identify the type of coral?
Took it to the jewellers, test it , it’s not gold.
I wonder why would someone put expensive coral on metal?
How old do you think it is?
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Simona
@Any Jewelry
@KSW
@Fid
@PepperAnna @Bronwen

 

Looks like a mourning brooch (is that hair under the glass?), and yep they used coral, pearls etc on base metal or pinchbeck. Style is typical for mid Victorian c1860 or so.

 

Thank you so much for your response. The top layer that looks like hair is in fact a metal that is scratched to look like hair, there is no glass. I tried to open it and I am afraid not to break it, I bended a bit a side. It looks as though the top will come off, it’s like a lid. I did not ask for the top to be tested, just presumed is the same metal. This looks like is heavily gold plated, so maybe it’s silver underneath, I don’t know.
I have a 18 carat mourning brooch with pearls and is exactly how you described it, hair under the glass. I will try to share it tomorrow hopefully to compare.
What are your thought on that lid made look like hair… would this still be considered a mourning brooch?
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Simona

 

Why not? It is lovely, and could even be a bit older.
I wouldn't call it mourning with red coral, the lock of hair could belong to a fiance or family member who was still alive at the time.

Btw, no need to tag fid anymore. He has been banned and won't be back.

 

It sure looks like gold from here, but Victorian gold-filled was better than what's made now. The clasp looks replaced, no no surprises there. I don't think a true mourning piece would have coral, but a sweetheart piece might.

(Can't say I'm surprised the Swiss battleaxe got the chop. )

 

Ah, well the hair has been lost, but would had been under the glass. Imo I don't think this shape would be a sweetheart, as it would probably contain a hair weave rather than a lock and it looks typically British. People continued to wear mourning jewellery but without the same formality sometimes indefinitely hence colour can creep into the mix for jewellery.

I've seen all kinds of metals used in combination, so possible to be silver fronted on a pinchbeck type alloy or brass back, or silver with gold plate, there really aren't any fixed rules at this period. You even find gemstones on non precious metal sometimes.

 

Hi,
Funnily, I was able to remove the metal top, looks like a big space there. It looks like it has some white metal underneath, and the back is heavily gold plated, it is a thick layer of gold applied on top of a white metal… I have tested it, it does not react like normal silver, but it has some silver traces, maybe a low grade silver. The box that comes on top, looks like a lid to me, it’s made of a yellow metal, not gold, not silver. What a combination!
I have searched further and it looks some similar brooches are Georgian some are Victorian, how could someone with no trained eye make the difference ? What would make this brooch Georgian?
I also attach the other brooch I have, that fits perfectly your description of mourning brooch with glass on top.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Simona

 

Ah ok, so two possibilities, either the 'lid' was original and made so the brooch worked as a locket, in which case it could be a sweetheart piece. Or it was made as a replacement if something happened to the original glass/hair weave. Interesting that it has been textured like hair though.

Regarding dating, there are some examples with dates (either dedications or hallmarks) with which to help attribution, but there is also much conjecture. People also like to lean towards the oldest date possible as sellers think it adds value and buyers like to have the history. A bit like some marks on English ceramics where the earliest date possible is 1890 but the same mark was in use until the 1920's - everyone dates the items at 1890.

From my experience the smaller tighter designs with closed backs, like your pearl and hair brooch seem earlier and the more open styles are a bit later. But there is much overlap so unless it has an inscription it isn't possible to say for sure. Also the nearer you get to 1900 the more likely there is to me a mark (on precious metals). From the carved coral and the slightly more open front design if I were selling I would go with an early to mid Victorian date 1850' 60's, but you see plenty of sellers settling on much earlier dates.

 

I don't think anyone is. And I think I could hear a sigh of relief. Or maybe that was just me.

 

Was that the drama on my post from a week or so ago?

 

It was many posts over many years, personal attacks, racism, you name it, he did it. The final straw was in a thread by a newby, who probably won't be back either.

 

Thank you for letting me know, I add people whom sometimes answered my posts and think they may be intrested. I will not add him going forward.
Xx

 

Thank you so much, I also find it very strange how the metal was scratched to look like hair. The little box fits perfectly, it must be amazing craftsmanship if this was made at a later date. Thank you so much for shearing your knowledge.
I am happy you read my posts, I buy allot to learn, this is the best way for me. I have some amazing pieces, I will try to make time to post them and add you as well.
Kind regards,
Simona

 

Maybe it started out as a mourning or keepsake brooch, but the original glass broke and the owner could not afford a new glass. So then a cover was made as a less expensive substitute? I was also thinking maybe it could hold poison or medicine?