Victorian Pietra Dura Butterfly 18K Gold Brooch, circa 1870

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Victorian Pietra Dura Butterfly 18K Gold Brooch, circa 1870

About the Item

Victorian Pietra Dura Butterfly 18K Gold Brooch circa 1870 Large Pietra Dura brooch in a filigree gold frame made of ivy tendrils. The fine inlaid work shows a magnificent butterfly made of different colored gemstones. It stands out against the matt black onyx background and even the legs and antennae of the moth are engraved in the stone. 750/ 18 kt yellow gold 1 Pietra Dura Mosaic in Onyx, Lapis Lazuli, Brown and Gray Marble Size 5.7x4.5cm Weight 15.87g checked for 750/000 gold Very good condition, only minimal signs of wear. The stonework is undamaged and beautifully preserved. Pietra Dura (Italian hard stone) is a stone carving art from Florence. For the "Florentine Mosaic", as this technique is also called, flat, colored stone plates are laid out to form pictures and joined together in the previously cut indentations of a natural stone slab. True masterpieces made of colored marble stones were already being created in Italy during the Renaissance and soon spread throughout Europe. In addition to artistic wall paneling and table tops, miniature mosaics were also made, mostly with colorful flower motifs, from which delightful pieces of jewelry were created. The enthusiasm lasted until the late 19th century. The gems with the stone pictures were popular souvenirs from the "Grand Tour" and were often only artistically set back home. Our Pietra Dura butterfly is a historical collector's item from the second half of the 19th century and is still an extravagant companion today. It impresses with its size and the particularly finely designed setting made of high-quality gold. It looks particularly elegant on the collar of a high-necked blouse. Ref.: Bennet, D. & Mascetti, D., Understanding Jewellery, 1996, Plate 233

Metal:
18k Gold,Yellow Gold
Stone:
Onyx
Stone Cut:
Oval Cut
Weight:
15.87 g
Dimensions:
Width: 1.78 in (45 mm)Length: 2.25 in (57 mm)
Style:
Victorian
Period:
1870-1879
Date of Manufacture:
c. 1870
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Goettingen, DE
Reference Number:
Seller: B5221stDibs: LU1995215214882