Colourful Antique Gold Brooch with Opal, Burmese Rubies & Enamel, Savoy c. 1845

A Savoy Elegy

Colourful Antique Gold Brooch with Opal, Burmese Rubies & Enamel, Savoy c. 1845

€ 2,290.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

This brooch can be clearly attributed—based on its hallmarks—to northwestern Italy and dates to the middle decades of the 19th century. At that time, the region formed the Kingdom of Sardinia, which encompassed not only the territories of today’s Piedmont and Savoy but also extended into neighboring French areas. The cultural and economic prosperity of these lands was reflected, not least, in a vibrant tradition of gold- and silversmithing, renowned for its finely crafted jewelry. In the first half of the 19th century, the Kingdom of Sardinia developed into a political and industrial pioneer, helping to drive the Italian Risorgimento. From Turin, reforms, economic modernization, and an increasingly liberal state policy were advanced. This ultimately led to the national unification movement, whose decisive breakthrough came in 1861. In that year, Vittorio Emanuele II, Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia, was proclaimed the first king of a united Italy. Our brooch originates from this milieu and is crafted from high-carat gold. It is oval in shape with a domed front. At its center shimmers an opal of milky white. The stone is very likely a Hungarian opal, as Australia’s opal deposits had not yet been developed at that time (see also “Learn more” below). Four untreated rubies from Burma accompany the central stone. Cut as cabochons, they glow an intense pink-red, enhancing the brooch’s vivid color palette. The surface of the brooch is richly decorated with floral engravings and colorful enamel work. In its formal language, choice of colors, and motifs, it shows a strong affinity to Savoyard traditional dress. To illustrate this, we have included an example of a costume from the Tarentaise. The brooch is wonderfully well preserved and a high-quality piece of jewelry from the era of the Italian Risorgimento.

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Hungarian opals originate mainly from the Dubník region in what is now eastern Slovakia, which belonged to Hungary until 1918. Until the emergence of Australian deposits in the 19th century, they were considered the most valuable opals in Europe. Embedded in volcanic rock, they usually have a milky white to grey base color with a characteristic blue-green play of colours. Their slightly pearly shimmer made them particularly popular for pieces of jewellery from the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, Hungarian opals are rare and are considered coveted collector's stones with historical significance.

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Size & Details

A Savoy Elegy

€ 2,290.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

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.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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A Savoy Elegy

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