Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 5

Victorian Sterling Silver Classical Trompe L'oeil Brooch

About the Item

A Sterling Silver Pin done to fool the eye is an engraved classical head attached with a tack to tree bark. In fact the term Trompe L'oile literally means to fool the eye. The Trompe L'oile on bark was popular in Russia in the late 19th century. The technique has historical reference back to the ancient Greeks and Romans where it can be seen in paintings. Google notes that a contest took place in Ancient Greece between two artists, one who painted grapes so realistically that birds came to peck at them. Art enthusiasts may know William Hartnett who painted Trompe L'oile still lifes that can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum. Research tells me that this brooch may be of Russian origin but I cannot identify the hallmark. It is a sword with a line horizontally through. This is a hand made piece in excellent condition. It is 2 1/2 inches wide and 5/8 of an inch high. 10.7 grams in weight
  • Metal:
    Sterling Silver
  • Weight:
    10.7 g
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 0.63 in (16.01 mm)Width: 2.5 in (63.5 mm)
  • Style:
    Victorian
  • Place of Origin:
    Unknown
  • Period:
    Late 19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    c.1860-70
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Stamford, CT
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: #70211stDibs: LU3219743592

More From This Seller

View All
Large Sterling Silver Leaf Brooch c. 1940
By Hector Aguilar
Located in Stamford, CT
An enduring leaf that will not change color or season is made by Hector Aguilar, a master jeweler of Mexico, one of the apprentices of William Sprawling. He was manager of the Spratl...
Category

Vintage 1930s Mexican Retro Brooches

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Victorian Silver Scottish Agate Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Set in Sterling, this substantial Scottish brooch is set with four colors of agate native to Scotland. Fine Scottish jewelry makers mastered the stone...
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Agate, Silver

Elegant Flight. A Rock Crystal Sterling Silver Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
The biomorphic form of this graceful becomes a vehicle for the imagination. The rock crystal and sterling silver combination is clean, pure and airy. There is a feeling of movement h...
Category

Vintage 1950s Modernist Brooches

Materials

Rock Crystal, Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Victorian Scottish Dirk in Sterling Silver
Located in Stamford, CT
Lovers of Scottish Jewelry unite and cheer this sterling silver large dirk set with moss agate bloodstone and carnelian, topped by a beautiful prism s...
Category

Antique 1870s Scottish Victorian Brooches

Materials

Agate, Citrine, Sterling Silver

Victorian Scottish Sterling Horseshoe Brooch with Three Dimensional Deer
Located in Stamford, CT
A Scottish Horseshoe brooch in sterling with two sculpted three dimensional deer on top of a deer leg riding crop, is an example of the hunting jewelry...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Scottish Victorian Brooches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Victorian Serpentine Scottish Agate Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Undulating swirls of agate in mellow colors are cut and polished, then set in silver. Texture and softness were created by the jeweler with his choice of patterned agates as well as his ability to sculpt the stone. The pink agates are not frequently seen in scottish 19th century jewelry. Here they beautifully punctuate the horizontal plane. All of the workmanship was performed by hand Scottish jewelry, as well as Scottish tradition, were brought to the forefront during the second half of the 19th century because Queen Victorian and Prince Albert were deeply involved with and romanced Scottish tradition. At their privately owned castle Balmoral they dressed in Scottish clothing and wore Scottish jewelry. Their dedication brought Scottish agate...
Category

Antique 1860s Scottish Victorian Brooches

Materials

Agate, Sterling Silver

You May Also Like

Claude Chavent Paris Geometric Trompe L'oeil Brooch Sterling & 18kt Gold Vermeil
Located in Miami, FL
Trompe L'Oeil brooch designed by Françoise et Claude Chavent (1947-) Gorgeous vintage piece, created in Montpellier France by the artists and goldsmiths Francoise and Claude Chavent...
Category

Vintage 1980s French Modernist Brooches

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold, Vermeil, Silver, Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Victorian Violin Musicians Brooch
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Vintage sterling silver brooch featuring three violinists dressed in Victorian clothing. Marked: Mexico 925 TT-45. Light scratches.
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Agate cross brooch, Sterling silver, Victorian
Located in NEWARK, GB
We love this unusual antique, Victorian era Scottish agate and silver cross brooch. It has such a design made up of smooth polished sections of various different agates including ba...
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Agate, Sterling Silver

Victorian Amethyst Brooch Pin Sterling Silver Filigree Setting
Located in Milford, DE
An amethyst open-back crystal sits in a meticulously designed sterling silver filigree-style setting, accented with decorative motifs. Features brass fastening hardware on the back. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Crystal, Sterling Silver

Victorian Sterling Silver Lovely Lady Portrait Brooch Pin
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning Victorian Brooch Sterling Silver Great Floral Motif on this piece Victorian measuring 1.74" x 1.38 This is out of a massive jewelry collection from a Westchester county...
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Sterling Silver

Victorian Sterling Silver Helmeted Greek Warrior God Brooch
Located in Venice, CA
The striking profile of a bearded man, framed by a banner of flowers, is the focal point of this sterling silver Victorian era brooch. The man in the portrait appears to be a Greek g...
Category

Antique 1870s American Victorian Brooches

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Recently Viewed

View All