Antique scarf pin or brooch. 18k yellow gold, natural baroque pearl, jade, enamel. Most likely dates to the 1880-90's. (see below). Made in France. Unisex - Suitable for a man or a woman.
Measurements:
Weight is 7.6 grams. Length of cat and base is 2cm.
Description :
A superb and very rare antique pin in the form of a cat. The animal lies on an elongated base with rounded ends, the border echoed in black enamel. The center of the base pave set with square jade stones. The cat faces right and lies with it's long tail curved along the front side. Finely modelled detail and textured surface of gold work. The majority of the body is composed from a natural baroque pearl. During the Renaissance period, jewels incorporated natural baroque pearls and were surrounded by jewels and gold. It is therefore likely that this brooch was made during the Renaissance Revival period, circa 1880, but it is possible that it is as late as the Deco era. While the cat could be 'just a cat', it does have overtones of the sphynx and influence of the Egyptian Revival obsession of the late 19th and early 20th century. The sturdy gold pin is original to the piece, which is quite rare as usually, they are lost/damaged/replaced. Even better is the elegantly shaped Stopper of the pin, with elegantly overlapping curves. Quality of work and materials is fabulous. Items like this are extremely rare, yet as wearable and novel today as they were over 100 years ago.
Marks and Metal:
There are a number of hallmarks on the pin. An animal head facing right could be the whippet, horse or eagle head. It appears once alone and once on the other side of the pin between a 750 mark and a maker's mark that has a small 3-leaved clover on the right. All of these marks indicate French, 18k gold.
Condition:
Good with negligible wear commensurate with age. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
