Antique Victorian Egyptian Revival brooch. 14k gold and carnelian scarab. Made circa 1870-80. Unisex - suitable for a man or a woman.
Measurements:
Weight is 2.1 grams. A tad under 1 inch (2.5cm) across wingspan.
Description :
One of the oldest symbols and icons of Ancient Egypt was the winged sun, associated with divinity, royalty and power. Scarabs were just as popular, serving various functions in pharaonic Egypt - from signets to amulets. This small brooch combines both the wings and the scarab. Formed of 14k yellow gold and adorned with very fine filigree ropework. Tiny granules glisten as highlights. The center of the brooch, surrounded by an oval double filigree border is a wonderful carnelian scarab that swivels to show the engraved back or the carved cabochon top. The Carnelian is a particularly lovely specimen with a warm, rich glow as the light catches it at different angles. Hinged pin is original to the brooch and C-clasp is typical of the period.
Marks and Metal:
No marks. Gold was acid tested to ensure metal purity.
Condition:
Good with minor wear commensurate with age. Tiny gold terminal on one side of pin holding scarab is absent. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
THE STORY:
For hundreds of years, the world has been fascinated with Ancient Egypt.
Following Napoleon Bonaparte's campaigns in Egypt, there was a huge mania for Egypt-related jewelry in France.
With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, there was an even bigger resurgence of this passion. Even jewellers like Castellani, who generally focused on the Ancient Greeks and Etruscans, made fabulous jewelry set with micromosaics as echoes and in homage to the Ancient Egyptians. Most of us will never see a Castellani micromosaic in the Ancient Egyptian style, but there are some available by other makers such as out brooch #6840 with Pharoah portraits. Other fabulous jewels, enamelled, set with gems, in a variety of materials from wood to gold and platinum, show the range of influence of Ancient Egypt.
Louis Comfort Tiffany, who toured in Egypt as a young man was greatly influenced by Ancient Egypt both in his early jewelry and in the making of glass.
Egyptian Revival jewelry received its greates boost after 1922, when Howard Carter discovered King Tutenkhamun's tomb.
Some Egyptian Revival jewelry is accurate in its depiction of hieroglyphics and other Egyptian symbols.
Some of the most interesting jewelry from the late 19th century in this style incorporate actual Ancient Egyptian items - medallions, faience, scarabs into their gold mounts.
Most Egyptian Revival jewels are more decorative, using the symbols of snakes, cats, sphynxes, pharoahs and scarabs in a more decorative fashion.
Scarabs were symbols of rebirth, resurrection, transformation, and growth. People wore scarab amulets for good luck and protection. The bodies of the dead were adorned with scarabs to ensure that they could travel safely to the afterlife and move on to the next world.
