This is a small but wonderful 1930s Art Deco brooch of sterling silver and marcasites. It is just 1.25″ wide and 5/8″ high (3.2 cm x 1.5 cm) but has a great deal of personality with its truly classic Art Deco design of circles linked with a bar, and sparkle of marcasites (very difficult to capture in pictures).
It was possibly worn on a collar or at the centre of a neckline.
The quality is excellent with fine workmanship – the work of a jeweller rather than a mass-produced piece. Through the loupe, every marcasite is neatly set with its point upwards, and the back of the brooch has been nicely smoothed and rounded.
It is fitted with a rabbit-ear rollover safety clasp and is stamped “925” for sterling silver with the maker’s mark “AMW” (not the same as the A.M.W. of Art Metal Works.) I have not be able to identify this maker but suspect the brooch may be German. Unfortunately it doesn’t photograph well – it was very difficult to capture how pretty it is.
All the marcasites are present and the clasp is in good working order with a sharp pin. The silver is quite dark and may benefit from a clean. Altogether this gem of a brooch is in excellent vintage condition.
