A tour de force of workmanship, this 18k gold Victorian brooch is hand tooled with stunning detail, lifelike in its intricacy. Its centerpiece is the head of a ram with Old Mine Cut rubies for eyes and horns that wrap around the body of the pin. The ram is mature: his horns are long from his many years of life and they intertwine with the pin with scrolling flourish. His fur is stippled, its texture emphasized by a glowing patina, while his horns are textured with elegantly carved lines that detail and shade the curves. The pin has a barbell-esque shape, with cubed terminals that feature Etruscan Revival cannetille work and floral medallions. The 18k gold has developed a gorgeous multicolored patina, lustrous in its hues of greens, coppers, and reds, giving added depth to this beautiful piece.
Etruscan Revival jewelry has a rich and interesting history. In the early 1800’s there was a large excavation of Etruscan tombs outside of Rome. Within these tombs were pieces of original Etruscan jewelry. The Etruscans were master artisans, they created breathtaking pieces of jewelry through their use of gold wirework and granulation, colored gemstones and glass. The news of the excavation of these tombs, and the treasures contained inside them, spread throughout Europe. Etruscan style jewelry...
Category
1870s Unknown Antique Revival More Jewelry and Watches
MaterialsRuby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold