Antique Medallion Brooch With Pietra Dura in Gold, Florence & England

Pietra Dura jewellery has been a popular souvenir from every visit to Florence since the Renaissance. Especially in the 19th century, many travellers brought these little marvels back home. The brooch presented here comes from exactly this period. A rectangular pietra dura field is set in a wonderful framing of yellow gold. A charming bouquet of forget-me-nots, lilies of the valley and roses made of different types of stones unfolds in front of the black ground of frosted black stone. Detailed stones of the composition are chosen just enough to create a naturalistic veining of the leaf surfaces - a small bravura piece of illusionism. All the flowers depicted are to be interpreted in connection with love. Forget-me-nots, for example, were to be understood literally in the floral language of the 19th century, pink and white roses symbolize purity and first love while the lily of the valley stands for the return of happiness. According to the stamping, the filigree framing of the brooch with applied leaves and flowers was made in England in 1890. Often the settings for Florentine souvenirs were first made in the home country of the travellers. On the back, a glazed medallion compartment allows for the storage of souvenirs.

Estimate:$1,785.5

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