Splendid mid-1800s French jeweled brooch, silver with 18k gold work, a petit concave kiln-fired enamel plaque mounted in center. I love the griffins at the sides! Definitely bespoke, entirely hand worked by Master artisans, jeweled throughout. Am I completely positive it's not Austrian? I am not, and artists of each were working similarly in early to mid-1800s and even earlier. While the art extends backward by centuries, this one is relatively certainly 1800s. Barrel hinge with 18k gold pin but silver c-clamp and hinge. From an anonymous private collection, England. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition throughout. Each time I think I've found the tiny French punch mark for silver, it turns out not to be. There is a possibility it is Austrian, as noted. Nothing missing, nothing damaged. I didn't work much at the silver. It is not .950/1000 pure, but likely .800/1000 or perhaps a hair below that standard, which would make sense of not finding the mark. All jewels are intact, original, undamaged. What to the eye look like seed pearls are actually tiny balls of silver, well-placed so they look like gems. No bends, no breaks, no flaws to the concave (unusually so) enameled portrait. You will note there is a photographer's light spiral glare showing on it in several shots - angles of light. It is not a flaw. Superb piece!
