Dating to around the 1870s, this fabulous Victorian brooch is a beautiful example of traditional piqué work .

OBSESSED!!! RARE VICTORIAN TREASURE | TORTOISESHELL, 14 CT GOLD & SILVER PIQUÉ BROOCH | c.1870s.

Now THIS is the kind of antique jewellery that makes my collector heart ridiculously happy! Dating to around the 1870s, this fabulous Victorian brooch is a beautiful example of traditional piqué work — where tiny pieces of precious metal were painstakingly inlaid into a dark polished ground to create extraordinarily delicate decoration.

The wonderfully domed, scalloped brooch is decorated with an elaborate central floral bouquet, worked in contrasting 14ct yellow gold and sterling silver .Surrounding it is a circular gold border, while the outer sections are covered with further miniature flowers, scrolling details and the most gorgeous repeating crescent moon motifs.

The contrast is spectacular — almost like metallic embroidery floating across the glossy black-brown surface.

THE ART OF PIQUÉ
Piqué jewellery became particularly fashionable during the Victorian period. The shell was carefully heated and then decorated by pressing or embedding incredibly fine pieces of gold and silver into its surface. The technique allowed craftsmen to create everything from tiny dots and stars to wonderfully elaborate flowers, scrolls and geometric motifs.

COMPARABLE EXAMPLES ONLINE
The market for good Victorian piqué is surprisingly strong! A smaller 3.1 cm domed gold-and-silver example is currently offered online at approximately £295 ( R6400).

With its large statement scale, high dome and particularly elaborate floral-and-crescent decoration, this is a far more visually ambitious example than many of the smaller pieces currently appearing online.

CONDITION NOTE: Beautiful antique condition considering its approximately 150-year age. There are three small chips to the reverse edge/rim, which I have taken into account and which do not detract from the spectacular face of the brooch when worn.

Measurements : This special brooch measures 4cm in diameter .Total weight of 7.5grams.