Featured Gold Filigree Hope, Charity, & Faith

Yes, sure it is closer. To me these do not look "ours" (as I said, our traditions are very close with them in everything, and we also have filigree in our folk crafts), they look Middle Eastern (as the TS suggested), there are Christian minority groups in the Middle East, too - copts in Egypt and Maronites in Lebanon, for instance. And the marks look to me Arabic or sort of.

 

This is a no-brainer for me: 100% Portuguese, and I would have bought it in a heartbeat.

The clues:
The Viana heart alone says Portugal, and when you see (gilded) filigree, blue enamel, and a Viana heart together, the only thing to say is Portugal.

The Viana heart is a filigree heart with the point elegantly turned to the right (form the heart's perspective), like a 'witch's heart".
It is the symbol of the northern town of Viana do Castelo.

My Viana heart:

 

Any, it is so interesting about Viana heart, thank you for educating me!
I was sensing it is not "ours", though Somehow it looked to me estranged although very exquisite and beautiful.

 

Yes, it would have looked too western for your eyes.

There is so much beautiful filigree in this world, it is easy to get confused. Sometimes pieces have their origin written all over, if you know what to look for.

 

Thank you for all of the feedback and educated stabs at this one y’all. I think AJ’s opinion is usually if not always one to take to the bank so I’ll go with Portuguese. AJ you believe it’s gilt and not solid gold? Any idea what the hallmarks point to?

 

That was my initial hope! I was expecting to see French hallmarks when I finally got it in hand. I can’t say precisely why but it was my leaning.

 

I’m glad you enjoy it at least ! I was beginning to feel guilty about all the time you’ve put into my photos.

 

NEVER feel guilty about it....I'm the one doing it....if I'm not getting it....I'll give up......EVENTUALLY!!!!

 

No idea at all, can't make much of the marks. They could be an export mark or a maker's mark. They are punched in a tiny space, which could be the reason they are illegible.

This is an extensive list of Portuguese marks, maybe someone recognizes something:
https://www.silvercollection.it/DICTIONARYEUHALLMARKPORTUGAL.HTML

 

Portuguese filigree is sought after worldwide.
French filigree is beautiful, like just about every other filigree, but not widely known, so not sought after.

 

I bet that this is gold over silver. The section that is "black" may be where the gilt wore off and is tarnished.

 

There is one on Ebay very similar:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224471760868

 

That is my feeling as well. The Portuguese do a lot of that.

 

I didn't look closely at it before, do you mean the pin hinge? I agree, that shows another metal underneath, most likely tarnished silver.
There are also black spots on the pin proper, and around the edges of the brooch. The anchor seems to have a darkish spot too.

 

I was referring to the bottom tip of the anchor (when viewed from the top).

 

Yes, there is some discolouration or even wear.