Extraordinary Large Flower Brooch/Pin with Art Glass, Gold Leaf

The brooch is a rather large flower with outer petals in blue enamel with what looks like gold leaf at the tips and accented with rhinestones. At the center there are ten faceted clear stones that have a hint of soft pink. All the stones are set in a gold tone metal and are prong set. Of interest is that these stones are not foiled, thus allowing light to shimmer through them. They seem to be glass, but it has been suggested that they are actually plastic. As a part of the incredible center are enamel red berries, which are probably responsible for the soft pink glow.

A small budding flower is connected with a gold leaf vine at the bottom of the larger flower. A single clear stone sits at its center. Interestingly, the prongs have red enamel on them, giving off that pink glow found in the larger flower. Blue enamel leaves surround the smaller flower, with gold tips and rhinestone accents.

A long vine in gold leaf or enamel adds additional curiosity. To one side a very long graceful gold tone leaf wanders away from the vine; while a smaller leaf is on the other side of the vine.

There is some small amount of gold loss on the vine and leaves, which are misrepresented in the pictures. The camera's ability to pick up the most subtle aspects of a piece is wonderful, however, it also greatly exaggerates minor flaws. The gold loss is very minor. At the same time, the camera gives the appearance that there is damage around the rhinestones at the end of the leaves. What looks like damage is in fact filigree that surrounds the rhinestones. I have a picture that is a close up of the intricate work around the rhinestones.

The brooch is 2 ½" wide and 3 ½" long. This piece, I believe, has historical significance due to the materials used, the artisanship, and the use of fine details. All of this could so easily go unnoticed, making this piece very special and one that I believe would be a collector's delight.

Item ID: c1172