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This is a very dimensional late Art Nouveau “Egyptian Revival” scarab brooch, dating to about 1925.
The scarab is set on a high base of silver, like a little museum exhibit, secured by a broad flat prong at each end. It is a deep mottled turquoise colour and very tactile, made from a pottery-type material with a crackled surface, and lightly glazed.
There are symbols stamped into the back of the scarab. I don’t know if these are a sign the scarab is authentically “ancient,” or not. The glaze on the underside is not discoloured at all but may have been applied when the scarab was made into a brooch. It is fitted with an old style safety clasp. From the style and hardware, this brooch is estimated to date to about 1925, just after Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered in 1922.
Dimensions
The brooch is 2.7 cm long (just over 1″) by 2 cm (o.75″) wide, and 1.7 cm (0.7″) high.
Marks
I am certain the setting is sterling silver – it is has a scratch mark of “S/S” and has the right feel and tone, and is not magnetic – but it has not been tested.
Condition
Very good vintage condition.
There is a little stone-coloured spot just above where the wings meet at the head end, and a small dark spot between the wings, towards the bottom end. These seem to be original flaws, not damage. The only issue is a few paler patches on the wings (mainly the right) where the glaze is either scuffed or very thin to begin with, but they blend in nicely with the overall mottled look. The clasp is in good working order.
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