The Exquisite - Georgian Brooch

I am so in love with this Georgian brooch! It is large and ornate. Pink...the center stone is a pink foiled back paste stone. You can see the beaded edge of the setting around the stone. Just one clue that says the Georgian era to me. The fact that the paste stone is foiled is another. The ornate engraved setting. Also in the photos below, you will see the domed or bubbled back of the piece. All indicators of the Georgian era. I believe this beauty dates to around 1800 to the 1820s.

Look at the engraving! Just amazing!

You can see how the edges are done in a repousse design.

The hardware on the back is not original to the piece. Roll over safety type clasps were not introduced until around 1910. The piece can be worn as a pendant or a brooch. When you wear the piece as a brooch, the bale folds down out of sight. As I understand from the previous owner, the engraving is also not original to the piece.

Notice the bubbled or domed back.

Just a lovely, lovely piece of wearable history.

I hope that you will visit my shop and find a treasure! I am having my annual Christmas in July Sale. All items in my shop have been reduced by 15%. I have over 100 pieces of antique and vintage jewelry in my shop. From the Georgian era through to the 1970s. Prices to fit every budget! Shop now for Christmas or treat yourself. Save money in the process! Be sure to follow me here and use the coupon code WDBLOGFREESHIPPING at checkout for your free shipping! Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Collecting!

Christmas in July SALE at Wicked Darling.

Meet the Ladies of Wicked Darling - Christmas in July Sale

Christmas In July SALE Late Georgian Early Victorian Pin - Regency - Lithograph - Fichu - Lace Pin C1840

They may be marked down, but they are still beautiful and respectable ladies. These are just a few of the fabulous pieces that can be found when you visit Wicked Darling. There are over 100 pieces to choose from. All of the items in my shop have been reduced by 15% for my annual Christmas in July Sale. I have antique and vintage jewelry in every price range and to fit in with any budget. Plus...if you follow my blog, you can use the coupon code WDBLOGFREESHIPPING and receive free shipping on your purchases.

Christmas In July SALE Antique Victorian Hardstone Cameo Brooch - Pendant - Seed Pearls C1870

Christmas In July SALE Antique Victorian Portrait Pin - Hand Painted On Porcelain - Civil War Era - C1860

Christmas In July SALE Antique Victorian Porcelain Pin - Queen Louise of Prussia C1890

Christmas In July SALE Victorian Porcelain Portrait Brooch - Lady With Bird - C1880

Thank you for stopping by and meeting the ladies. I hope that you will visit my shop and find a treasure! Shop now for Christmas or treat yourself. Save money in the process! Be sure to use the coupon code at checkout for your free shipping! Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Collecting!

Christmas in July SALE at Wicked Darling.

Struttin' Your Stuff - Vintage Peacock Brooch

Such a magnificent piece! This huge vintage peacock brooch has plenty of reason to strut! The craftsmanship is so beautiful. It has rubies and emeralds set over the entire piece. Even on the peacock's lower body. I am still researching this piece...so the jury is still out as to the metal content and exact age. I do believe that it is Middle Eastern in origin.

Notice the granular work that covers the entire front of the brooch.

You can see that the stones are open backed and really catch the light.

There is a hook on the back as well as a pin. So this can be worn as a pendant or a brooch.

The pin stem does extend past the actual brooch itself. This normally is an indication of age, but in this case I cannot say for sure. The nature of the construction could be a technique specific to a certain region.

Just a lovely piece that I wanted to share with you. I am really enjoying the research aspect of this piece and hope to bring you an update soon. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Collecting!

For more antique and vintage jewelry, please visit my shop.

Wicked Darling

Striking! Georgian Paste Brooch

Such a beauty! Still debating if I should keep this piece for myself or list it in my shop. Yes...I am greedy for pretty pieces like this! This Georgian era paste brooch has so much sparkle! Very hard to capture in my photos. The small brooch dates to the 1820s.

There are two missing pastes stones. In one of the empty spaces you can see the remains of a gold gilt finish. Can you imagine how striking this brooch would have been when it was first created! To me, it is gorgeous now!

The metal is a bit of a mystery to me. It has rust, yet looks like silver or possibly iron. My husband tried to explain the complexity of this setting to me. He believes, as do I, that it was a very time consuming piece to make.

You can see the remains of the gold gilt finish on the back as well. Also a clue to the age of this brooch, is the extended length of the pin stem. It extends significantly past the actual brooch...which indicates great age.

The paste stones appear to be foiled backed...which is also a quite common feature of Georgian era jewelry. The foil backed stones would be more reflective and beautiful by candlelight. Even precious and semi precious stones were often foil backed for the same reason. Today this practice is pretty much limited to synthetic stones or crystals and rhinestones.

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing this beautiful antique Georgian brooch!

Happy Collecting!

Be sure to visit my shop for more antique and vintage jewelry!
Wicked Darling

Fly By Night - Antique Comet Pins

Summertime...fireflys...gazing at a star filled night. It all reminds me of antique comet pins. From the dawn of time, people have been fascinated with the heavens. The Georgians and Victorians were no exception to this. They were quite enamored by Halley's comet. Named after Edmond Halley...he predicted that this comet would return in 1758. Which it did...but he did not live to see it's return. He noted that it had previously appeared in the years 1531, 1607 and 1682. The comet reappears roughly every 75 years.

It was then seen again in 1834...then 1910...and if you were one of the lucky people (and I was) you got to view the return of Halley's comet in 1986!

Mark Twain was born in 1835 when Halley's comet was still visible. It is said that he did not want to leave this earth until it returned. He sadly passed away April, 10 1910...just one day after the comet became visible in the sky. Some people dispute this claim.

This is a gorgeous antique Victorian comet pin that I have in my collection. The stone represents the comet and the long gold part of the pin represents the comet's tail.

It has a wonderful paste stone and has black taille d' epergne enameling. Is a little over an inch long...as were many comet pins. Short and sweet!

This is a view of the back of the pin. It is engraved 1873...possibly to represent another comet... discovered by Horace Tuttle and Ernst Temple in 1873. It was named 10P/Tempel 2.

The paste stone has become clouded...but I still prize this piece!

This is an example of an Edwardian Halley's comet pin. It dates to 1910. Gorgeous!

Another Edwardian Halley's comet pin...with an amethyst.

There are also some fabulous antique comet pins listed in various shops on Ruby Lane. This link will take you right to the search page! :)

Happy comet hunting!