This is an ornate c. 1925 vintage Czech brooch with the classic elements of Czech jewellery – floral motifs, glass cabochons and marcasites in a fancy and dimensional filigree setting.
At the centre, a coral-red glass cabochon is surrounded by a circle of raised leaves. At each end, smaller red cabochons are flanked by trios of two-layer flowers with red enamel petals and tiny marcasite centres.
There are also eight large prong-set marcasites throughout the brooch, including two set on raised bridges to the left and right of the centre cabochon (see side view). All the marcasites are faux – silvered black glass.
The setting is brass/bronze colour and has not been gilded at any time – the colour is the colour of the metal itself. The brooch is just over 2.5″ (6.5 cm) wide by 1″ (2.5 cm) high and fitted with an old safety-pin type clasp. It is unmarked.
There is a white metal pin in the hinge, probably an old (but secure) repair, and one marcasite setting has only two prongs but the stone is totally secure (perhaps they were also first glued in place). There is some wear to the silvering on the small faux marcasites but virtually none to the large marcasites – only the slightest amount on the two raised stones. The cabochon bezel settings are a little bent out of round but the stones themselves are undamaged and the pin is secure – it goes in the closure on one side only and needs a little push to click it in place. Overall, I would describe this brooch as being in good vintage condition.
SOLD – Aug 09
