Featured Huge winged scarab brooch.

Hi joolies!

I just bought this 9.9cm by 2.85cm brooch on French EBay...

Described as gilded bronze, with only these two pics

What attracted me was the deduction the enamel seems vitreous, the scarab, even if not ancient, IMO, is better than usual costume or tourist pieces, and the rounded hinge more usually found on good pieces. And... The fact it was only 30€!
There is a mark on back that seems a cross in a circle.

Any idea as to the age and quality?

 

20s, I bet and to coincide with the Tut revival. Does look like a proper scarab.

 

Thanks for confirming my feelings about it
Impatiently waiting to have it in hands, I'll post my pics then!

 

Kyratango, a beautiful brooch! Totally worth, IMO

 

Beautiful! And this one doesn't appear to need any repairs.

 

Definitely worth the money . Lots of people snoozing on the one. I agree looks like a real scarab plus it is an unusual design.

 

Looks like a T in a circle to the right of the scarab

 

This site says: Necklace and brooch by Castellani, Italian, c. 1860, of gold, glass, and scarabs (private collection, courtesy Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)

Jewelry revivals: Egyptian style | the jewelry loupe

 

Just noting that the Castellani brooch is micromosaic while kyra's lovely one is enamel (if that's the right word... I'm not much of a joolie), but the likeness is uncanny!

 

I’ll be deprived of kyratising
Thank you for your appreciation

 

Thank you, I didn’t have to think much before hitting the « buy it now » box

 

The size is HUUUGE! And 30€ is not so expensive for a bet...
I’ll see better the mark once in hand, I see more a cross than a T for the moment

 

Thank you Kiko! I saw it when searching... For sure the general shape and the oval around the scarab are very similar! Besides the fact this one in the link is Castellani and dated 1860, micro mosaic, I’d love to know its size and see the back!

 

I'm going to go out on a limb..... thick one though.... and say yours is a copy of the Castellani....




and while 30 pounds won't break you....

when seen together.....your wings are sloppy and the scarab is a poor fit.

And I say this....knowing the quality of your other finds...and that it's nothing you don't already see.

Sorry, but I call em, like I see em !!

 

I've a feeling that Castellani was a "copy", for want of a better word, of ancient grave goods.

 

It is wonderful, and could be after Castellani. A real Castellani would have a few more zeros after the 30, but you did well for 30€.

Ditto. The hinge and clasp indicate that period as well, imo.

That's when the search begins for the maker, can't wait.

 

Certainly made 'in the style of'. They were more famous for totally stunning Etruscan Revival, but going on to Egyptian is a logical step.

 

it looks like the scarab moves on a pin a little making it look poorly fitting.

 

looks can be deceiving.......
that's the shadow of the pin showing thru the back....and the pin itself...showing thru the front !!...

 

& while I'm digging myself a hole.....

one wing is larger than the other...

the enamel on the right and the feathers , seem nicely in order and form....

the left side is a mess , with smaller feathers on the top and thicker ones on the bottom....not matching the right side....and the feathers are a mix of different sizes....with the enamel poorly laid down...

Kyra....u asked about the quality here...... & I'm just not seeing any !

The scarab though....looks ok..