VENETIAN 1940 Carved Ebony Prince Brooch In 18Kt Gold With Coral And Ruby
A jeweled Nubian Moor Prince stick pin with Gemstones.
This is an exceptional brooch created in Venice Italy, back in 1930's.The amazing brooch has been crafted in the shape of a Moorish prince in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with accents in patinated silver. The head is carved from natural black Ebony wood and display a beautiful face with highly detailed expressions. An excellent carving with great craftsmanship, beautiful details and in great vintage condition. The prince is adorned with intricate baroque ropes and a turban accented with a cabochon carved from natural Sardinian coral. Fitted at the reverse with hinged pin bars with a trombone security lock.
Country: Venice, Italy.
Period: Neo-baroque, 1930-1940.
Coral: Mount in a bezel setting, with 1 round cabochon cut carved from natural sardinian coral with a weight of about 2 carats.
Ruby: Mount in a bezel setting, with 1 oval cabochon cut of a natural red ruby of 0.30 carats.
Weight: 9.8 Grams, (6.30 Dwt).
Measurements: 75 mm by 29 mm by 17 mm (2.95 x 1.14 x 0.67 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with the gold assay mark, ".750".
History
This kind of pieces began appearing in European decorative arts in the 17th century. “They became popular in aristocratic homes, including the court of Louis XIV, at a time when Europeans were engaged in the trade with the Persian empire and other countries in the middle east . The notion of the exotic became a symbol with Baroque ostentation". It's important to understand that this pieces emerged as a response to the Moorish occupation of Europe. They were Arabic, hence the turbans and tunics you see in many of them. They were a curiosity—there were not many Africans in Italy at the time. So that's where the tradition came from. Since those times Venetian artisans created various kinds of Moors exploring all kind of jewelry: earrings, brooches, pendants, and necklaces with the portrait bust made in ebony wood usually adorned with precious stones and enamels. Even today, these pieces are considered the most wanted and typical expression of Venetian jewelry: testimonials of this everlasting elegance have been icons of the 20th century as Grace Kelly, Ernest Hemingway, Liz Taylor, Barbara Hutton, Arthur Rubinstein and Elton John.
Note: Millegrain is a jewelry technique which refers to the textural effect of a close-set line of metal beads that are typically used as a border on the edges or bezels of jewelry.
Collateral: This Venetian brooch is accompanied by an antique presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of this Venetian brooch is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. The 2 gemstones are secured in the settings. This brooch was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: P080125VCEN/.2355
