This is a large and lovely vintage 1930s Czech brooch featuring the classic Czech elements of quality crystals in an ornate filigree setting.
The brooch is a lengthways diamond shape with a large 1.2 cm (0.5″) oval crystal at its centre surrounded by tiny little embossed flowers. The rest of the setting is scrolling filigree with 20 prong-set smaller red round crystals arranged in a diamond shape near the edge of the brooch.
The crystals are a wonderful cranberry-like shade of red, vibrant but also rich. The centre stone appears darker because it is bigger – the crystals are all the same colour. They are open backed but deep and heavily faceted on the reverse so they have a fantastic sparkle even in natural light – really superb, top quality crystals. It’s a cliche but it was impossible to capture this in the pictures.
The setting is a base metal finished with subtle gilding and large – a full 6.8 cm wide by 3.2 cm high (2 11/16″ by 1.25″) – with a flat 1920s/30s style c-clasp. It is not marked.
This necklace is is in very good vintage condition. All the crystals are present and undamaged, with crisp super-sparkly facets. One of the pointy finials on the outside edge has darkened and there is a touch of greyish “fuzzing” between the three crystals on the far right (see pic) but overall the setting is in very good order with the gilding bright and intact. The pin is sharp and secure.
