Mid-19th Century, England, Late Victorian Era, Miniature Mosaic Garden Brooch in Gilded Sterling Silver

This miniature mosaic brooch, crafted in Britain between 1860-1870, features a gilded sterling silver setting adorned with intricate Murano glass tiles. The mosaic itself originates from Italy, later fashioned into this exquisite brooch in England. The mosaic is meticulously created using glass tiles from Murano, an island near Venice, Italy, renowned as a glassmaking hub since the 13th century and celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship in the 15th-16th centuries. A vibrant array of flowers is depicted with remarkably fine glass tiles, their subtle color variations lending a lifelike depth to the blossoms. The rich, velvety red background enhances the opulent composition, exuding an air of refined grandeur. Encircling the mosaic, the gilded sterling silver base is embellished with Etruscan Revival style rope motifs, a dazzling complement to the mosaic's artistry, resulting in a piece that is both striking and delicately detailed. The item is in good antique condition, showing normal signs of oxidation and wear consistent with its age. Please note that this is a century-old antique piece, not a new item. About Antique Miniature Mosaics: In an era when travel was a privilege reserved for the affluent due to logistical challenges, the "Grand Tour" of Europe in the 19th century became a fashionable pursuit for the upper class. Upon encountering magnificent churches and frescoes adorned with mosaic tilework in Italy, these discerning travelers sought to bring back mementos of their journeys. This desire spurred the creation of miniature mosaic jewelry. Wealthy travelers of this period were willing to invest significantly in miniature mosaic pieces, underscoring the exceptional quality of the handmade mosaics from this era, evident in both their intricate designs and the fineness of the glass tiles. Miniature mosaic work reached its zenith in the late 19th century, with quality beginning to decline as travel became more accessible to the middle class. Consequently, the delicacy of the mosaic can serve as an indicator of whether a piece is a genuine antique or a more recent reproduction. Origin: Miniature mosaic crafted in Italy, set into a brooch in England. Year: 1860-1870 Materials: Gilded Sterling Silver, Murano Glass Tiles Dimensions: Diameter 2.6 cm Weight: 6.88g Condition: Good antique condition, with normal oxidation and signs of wear. Purchase Notes: "Antique jewelry" refers to pieces over 100 years old. Items less than a century old are classified as vintage or second-hand jewelry. Each piece sold by Xiangsheng Antique Jewelry comes with a brand certificate detailing the item's era and materials. We offer a full refund if the product does not match the certificate's description. We meticulously document the condition of each item using photographic equipment before sale to ensure customers are fully aware of any imperfections or signs of wear. These photographs form an integral part of the product description. Therefore, we kindly request that customers carefully consider their purchase intent before completing the checkout process. Due to the unique nature of the items we sell, we are unable to accept returns or exchanges for any reason, including minor flaws or signs of age. We urge customers to confirm their purchasing decision with great care prior to finalizing their order to prevent any misunderstandings. Shipping Methods: Enjoy complimentary shipping on any single item purchased within Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan. Within Taiwan, all shipments will be sent via registered postal mail. If registered mail delivery is inconvenient, please indicate your preference for convenience store pickup (7-11 or FamilyMart) in your order, along with the store name or code. Shipments to Hong Kong and Macau will be handled by SF Express.