Antique Victorian brooch swallow in flight covered with rose cut diamonds

Victorian brooch depicting a fork-tailed swallow in mid-flight. The silver and gold body and wings of the swallow are covered with pave- set rose-cut diamonds, with sapphires for eyes.

Antique jewelry object group: brooch

Condition: very good condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe this to be of Belgian origin.

Style: Victorian - Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
  -  See also: Victorian or more info on styles

Style specifics: The Grand Victorian Period - Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837 - 1901) into three periods of about twenty years each; The Romantic Victorian Period (1837 - 1860), The Grand Victorian Period (1860 - 1880), and the Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period (1880 - 1901).

We consider this to be of the Grand Victorian Period.

This second Victorian period is famous for its ostentatious pieces set with pearls and diamonds (from South Africa). From ca. 1850 wealthy English had reported about jewelry from India and Japan, which heavily inspired the jewelers of this period. This period also corresponds with the death of Queen Victoria's husband King Albert making mourning jewelry (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewelry specific for this period.

Period: ca. 1870
  -  (events and facts in 1870)

Source of inspiration: Mother Nature

Theme: Swallow - Swallows symbolize the incarnation of Christ, or also His resurrection because of their arrival in spring. There are nonetheless also regional differences regarding their meaning. Swallow nests can mean joy, marriages and children, while in Japan swallows symbolize infidelity because supposedly they change partners very often.

Material: Silver on top and backed with 18K red gold (see explanation on silver on gold).
  -  (more info on precious metals)

Extra information: Swallows - There are regional differences regarding the meaning of a swallow as symbol. Swallow nests can mean joy, marriages and children. And in Christianity swallows symbolize the incarnation of Christ, or His resurrection because of their arrival in spring.

Diamonds: 91 rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.

Precious stones: And for the eye two (most probably) sapphires
  -  (more info on precious stones)

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and sapphire for September.
  -  (more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: No trace.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: span width 6,30 cm (2,48 inch)

Weight: 9,30 gram (5,98 dwt)

Reference Nº: 13361-0034

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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