Austrian Bronze Butterfly, Moth

We love our wonderfully esoteric Grotesque man (or "other") crafted by a talented unknown carver in the 19th century from a chunk of the most desirable orange-red toned coral. Connoisseurs of literature or theater or the arts understand the term Grotesque as referring to fantastical, exaggerated or distorted representations, usually of the human face or figure. (The word "grotesque" originates from the Italian "grottesca", meaning of a cave" (grotto = cave in Italian) and refers to doubled, metamorphosed, or altered forms). Originally Italian, the concept of the Grotesque was used in French and German literature as well, and is a an integral part of English literature and theatre (The Theatre of the Grotesque preceded the Theatre of the Absurd) today. We find our Grotesque stickpin guy (gal) to be not grotesque at all but endearing, with his (or her) exaggerated features and droopy skin folds. And as a reference to classic theatre, this coral stickpin...

Fabulous emerald lizard form brooch set with emerald green pastes on silver. The Roman symbol of wedded bliss and popular in jewelry during fin de siecle (...

Victorian stickpin of a bearded collie or English sheepdog in Essex crystal and set in an 18K twisted rope border around its frame and a large 9K gold pin that measures 4.25 inches long including the pin. Keep your lovely furry companion with you all day. The crystals are carved in reverse or intaglio into the flat back to create a three-dimension trompe l'oeil effect. The image is then painted in realistic detail. The scale of this Essex crystal dog pin is quite unusual and especially wonderful. We rarely seem find such spectacular Essex crystal representations of dogs. Note that one of the photos shows the model with 2 Essex crystal stickpins...

Colorful depiction of a peasant girl graces this micro mosaic brooch purchased during the Grand Tour and brought back to England to be set in an elaborate...