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Buying antique jewellery is both ethical and eco-friendly as harmful and destructive mining processes are not needed to make an item yours. So give yourself a pat on the back!
Find Out MoreA very unusual silverA metallic element which is malleable and ductile, and white in colour, making it ideal for use in jewellery. It is usually mixed with copper to improve its hardness.
gilt and enamelA pigmented glass-like material used in powdered form and fused onto the metal surface of a piece of jewellery. butterfly brooch.The enamel technique used here is plique-à-jourA French term that translates (as nearly as can be determined) to “letting in the daylight” and defines a type of transparent enamel that has no backing. Similar to a stained glass window, the design has a metal outline filled with various coloured transparent, glass-like enamels.
First discovered in the 15th century by Benvenuto Cellini, plique... (French for “letting in daylight”) is a vitreous enamelling technique where the enamel is applied in cells, similar to cloisonné, but with no backing in the final product, so light can shine through the transparent or translucent enamel. It is in effect a miniature version of stained-glass and is considered very challenging technically. There is a high failure rate. The technique is similar to that of cloisonné, but using a temporary backing that after firing is dissolved by acid or rubbed away. This brooch is in very good condition and was made circa 1900-1910.
A rare and very good example and a lovely subject
Sterling
Maker's mark a lyre
Buying antique jewellery is both ethical and eco-friendly as harmful and destructive mining processes are not needed to make an item yours. So give yourself a pat on the back!
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