BOUCHER Unusual 'Carved Turquoise' Icon Brooch

Our icon/figurine looks Asian, Egyptian, Mayan or African-inspired; a deity or prophet, even perhaps a king! Faux turquoise lucite or plastic resin, with an elaborate headdress trimmed with textured goldtone and rhinestone pavé.

Check out the matching faux jade icon pin-cum-pendant that I also have listed. Together, they are just fantastic!

This icon is an unusual motif for Boucher, whose designs are traditionally delicate, with fluid, flowing lines. Most of his figurals are of animals and birds. On research, I found only one other face figural that has a design and construction similar to ours: an Egyptian pharoah pin with faux aqua face and goldtone trim from the 1960s, with a patent number just two numbers lower than our icon's.

A collector of this Boucher design told me it dates to 1968. And another helpful collector tells me that this icon could be that of King Nebuchadnezzar, famous king of Ancient Babylon who built, for his wife, the Hanging Gardens, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. There is a 17th century engraving of the Babylonian king wearing the same kind of headdress as our piece here.

The icon measures 3" tall by 1 1/2". It has a serene face and a robed body resembling that of a mummy's. It also has a tall headdress embossed with what looks like ancient writing and trimmed with gilt and a ribbon of rhinestone pavé. Has a long flowing "tail" that drapes around the face, and it sits on a ridged goldtone base.

It has a vertical locking c-clasp. Marked Boucher with a copyright symbol. Also has the patent number 1059 and the letter "p" (for pin).

In excellent condition, with minimal visible wear.

The Boucher Egyptian pin I found retails online at about $485. This one's just as pretty — and intriguing — don't let it get away!

If you want both icon pieces, e-mail me and I can do better on the price.

Item ID: 0710-BOU7