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Antique novelty brooch with flies made of turquoise & pearls, circa 1890


€ 1,590.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Antique novelty brooch with flies made of turquoise & pearls, circa 1890
Antique novelty brooch with flies made of turquoise & pearls, circa 1890
Description
This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!
In the second half of the 19th century, a new fashion spread in the metropolises of Western Europe: dainty insects made of luxurious materials, richly set with diamonds and colored stones, were allowed to settle on their wearers in the form of brooches, pins or hair ornaments. Spiders, bees, butterflies, dragonflies and even flies were used as "novelty jewelry" at dinner parties and soirées as a starting point for lively conversation. The bow tie as a lapel pin or brooch was a popular motif with rich references to art history and thus fulfilled the function of a "conversation piece". For example, the famous painter Giotto is said to have painted a fly on a painting by his master Cimabue in a painting competition; when Cimabue succumbed to the illusion and shooed the annoying insect away, he realized that Giotto had surpassed him. The four flies that have come together here to form the present brooch do not appear to be made of anything other than gold, pearls and the turquoise that was so fashionable at the time - and yet they have a very lively highlight in store. The three lower flies are mounted on fine golden chains and fly freely, so to speak. Depending on where the brooch is pinned, they can swing freely or have a slight movement reminiscent of their living model. The small brooch was probably made in Great Britain towards the end of the 19th century. It is in very good condition and is still an eye-catching piece!
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Size & Details
Antique novelty brooch with flies made of turquoise & pearls, circa 1890
... When I get you!
€ 1,590.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Our Promise
Our Promise
Our Promise

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You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

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