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This is a classic late-Victorian brooch of sterling silver and gold, hallmarked in Chester for 1891.
It features a buckle surrounded by flowers and leaves with bright-cut foliage details. The buckle is dimensional, rising up from the brooch, and nicely detailed with a little gold rivet in the strap and dainty stamping around the buckle itself. The flowers and leaves are applied gold while the buckle looks to be gold-washed only. There are three different colours of gold altogether – yellow gold, rose gold and a coppery gold. The edge of the brooch is scalloped with a hand-stamped decorative border and it is fitted on the reverse with a period tube hinge and c-clasp.
As with most mid to late-Victorian jewellery the design motifs are symbolic. The buckle represents “strength and protection” and the dainty flowers are most likely forget-me-nots, for “true love” and “remembrance” – perhaps a gift from a loved one who was often away?
Dimensions
The brooch is 3.1 cm (just over 1.25″) wide an weighs 5 grams.
Marks
The brooch is stamped on the reverse with Chester hallmarks showing the date letter “H” for 1891 and the maker’s mark “CE & FD” for Constantine & Floyd Ltd. whose mark was registered at Birmingham and London as well as Chester.
Condition
Very good antique condition.
A slightly wobbly (but secure) pin stem but no damage and very little surface scratching for a brooch of this age. It has not been cleaned.
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