VINTAGE BROOCH

:headbang: Great piece! I'd say your brooch is more 'antique' than vintage. I'm not experienced in this area but I'm sure one of our jewellery experts will come along with advice. My thoughts are definitely pre 1920 . . . . . .

:clueless:
 
Egyptian revival comes around fairly regularly - the facial style is what I would consider to be a typically high Victorian (1850s-80s) beauty -- pale complexion, aqualine nose, straight eyebrows, large eyes, and small lips. The ideal beauty changes in the 1890s so I am quite sure the brooch doesn't date after that.
 
Question: What is the thing on the pin part? It looks like it wouldn't allow the pin to go all the way across in the fabric, and would then hang funny.
 
What is the thing on the pin part?
Click to expand...

I don't think that is period, but a later addition--a "nub" from a contemporary stickpin? I think people sometimes add those to c-clasps to protect against loss.

I was thinking earlyish, because of the face, and Egyptian Revival, too--glad Jonathan and Hollis have been able to help narrow down the circa date for you.

Though I'm a babe in the woods on jewelry this early, I'm thinking that all those pastes (in the middle of the portrait, too!) may make it especially desirable. If it was me, I'd want an expert appraisal on this gorgeous and unique piece. Lisa Stockhammer (her site is "The Three Graces") is one expert who offers different tiers of appraisal, including a photograph-based "expert opinion" for a nominal fee.

Here's a great general article on paste jewelry:

http://www.morninggloryjewelry.com/paste-jewelry-aid-67.html

And The Three Graces has a portrait brooch that's earlier than yours, but surrounded in pastes like yours:

http://www.georgianjewelry.com/items/show/11604-georgian-18th-c-portrait-ring-with-dog
 
Also, the preface page to Dale Reeves Nicholls' "Egyptian Revival Jewelry & Design" has a portrait brooch with some strong similarities to yours (red guilloche enamel background, same style of painting to the face), though it's in 18k with pearl and diamond surround.

Anyway, Nicholls dates it late 19th C.

Sorry I can't post a scan--my new computer isn't set up for doing them yet!
 
I hope you don't mind that I e-mailed the photos of this lovely brooch to my antique-jewelry expert friend Janet Zapata as I was curious about the thing on the back pin. I asked if she knew what it was and she replied:

"Nice brooch with transparent enamel over the engraved design. It dates to 1880s and is definitely Egyptian revival. That is the original pin and "C" clasp. The "C" clasp was replaced with the safety clasp in 1901, a good date to remember for dating jewelry, that is, unless it has been changed. The bowling pin shape device on the pin was not from a stick pin (they were called scarf pins); it is a safety. I have a bag of them. Are those stones paste or the real thing? This is fun!"

It is indeed...
 
Thank you for so much information:-)
I'm surprised the information about it.
Thank you for your interest and support in.
Wish you good day
 
My goodness - the stuff you are all finding lately is just astounding. This brooch is really a treasure. Inspires me to go out there and dig around...
 
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