One of a Kind Victorian Vermeil Broach with Natural Amethyst

From the 1890s comes this wonderful vermeil broach ( gold over silver ) with scalloped edges and 2 round and and 1 oval bezel set amethyst. The broach measures 2 5/8 inches by 2 inches and is slightly curved. There is a 20mm by 14mm oval shape amethyst bezel set in a raised setting in the center of the broach. The amethyst is presented as the the center of a flower with twisted wire decoration around the amethyst and around the twisted wire decoration are the petals of the flower which go all the way around the stone. The amethyst is set with an open back and has checkerboard faceting on the bottom as well as the top. On each side of the center amethyst are 2 round amethysts one with a 9mm diameter and the other with a 10mm diameter. The round amethysts are bezel set in raised bezels with twisted wire decoration around the outside of the bezel. The 2 round amethysts also have checker board faceting on the top and bottom surfaces.

The broach has 3 scalloped edges above and below the center oval amethyst and 5 scalloped edges surrounding the round amethysts.The background decoration on the surface of the broach looks like gold flicks scattered over the surface with small floral shapes here and there. The broach has a green gold wash over silver. I believe that at one time this piece was a belt buckle. On the back of the broach, you can see where the buckle hardware was removed and a pin with a c-clasp was added.

The Sterling mark along with the maker's mark are found on the back side of the broach. The broach is in excellent vintage condition except for some wear on the gold wash. The amethysts have minimum surface wear.

Item ID: 13130