Antique Early Victorian Gold Brooch with Hair Inlay, c. 1850 & Later

After the Napoleonic Wars and the furor of the French Revolution, many citizens of Central Europe longed for peace, stability and security. Machines changed the world of work, the railroads revolutionized transport and technical innovations followed at a rapid pace. The people of the time were well aware of the consequences of these developments. Partly perceived as a crisis, partly celebrated as progress, the sense of change led to a renewed interest in history. This was also reflected in the arts. Romantic artists created medieval dream worlds that were intended to form an alternative to the uncertainty of their own time. And shortly afterwards, the gallant life of the Ancien Régime was also rediscovered: by the 1840s at the latest, jewellery was also encountered again in Baroque and Rococo forms, albeit updated in detail to reflect its own time. This brooch made of embossed gold speaks this language. We see powerful, dynamic leaf curves with delicate engravings reminiscent of Baroque splendor. The highlight of the design is an unusually large turquoise with interesting black veining against a sky-blue background. The stone was only used at a later date, but it fits the piece extremely well. The true significance of the piece of jewellery only becomes apparent when you look at the back. A glazed compartment reveals an elaborate braid of blonde and brown hair that obviously belonged to two different people - perhaps siblings or best friends. Against this background, the choice of turquoise is also extremely fortunate, as in the language of jewels its color stood for the "forget-me-not" and the meaning associated with it. The large brooch is in very good condition. It can also be worn as a pendant thanks to a loop.

Estimate:$887.13

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