Top quality brooch, typically French influenced, made in Belgium around 1870. It was offered to us together with the matching earrings. They make, what is called, a parure. Earrings and brooche are priced separately. To read and see about the earrings visit this link. Antique jewelry object group: brooch Condition: excellent condition 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. 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 Victorias husband King Albert making mourning jewelry (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewelry specific for this period. Period: ca. 1870 Material: 18K red gold Technique: Enamelling is an old and widely-adopted technology. The ancient Egyptians applied enamels to pottery and stone objects. The ancient Greeks, Celts, Russians, and Chinese also used enameling processes on metal objects. Enamel is the colorful result of fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius. The powder melts and flows and hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating on metal, glass or ceramic. According to some sources, the word enamel comes from the High German word smelzan (to smelt) via the Old French esmail. Used as a noun, "an enamel" is a usually small decorative object, coated with enamel coating, such as a champleve or a cloisonne (different techniques). Precious stones: 32 half seed pearls Birthstones: Pearl is the birthstone (or month stone) for June. Hallmarks: No trace. Dimensions: 9,43 cm (3,71 inch) Weight: 15,70 gram (10,10 dwt) Reference N: 13348-0029 Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry