Golden Battle: The Victorian Gold Brooch Where Nature and Luxury Intertwine

This vintage French brooch/pendant, originating from around 1890, portrays a majestic eagle in flight, engaging in a dramatic battle with a snake, while clutching a 0.20ct diamond in its beak. Crafted in 18K yellow gold, this piece is a striking representation of the Late Victorian era, hinting at the forthcoming Art Nouveau style. The eagle, symbolizing strength, courage, and immortality, is beautifully contrasted with the serpent, a symbol of wisdom and rejuvenation. This dramatic scene, inspired by Mother Nature, encapsulates the intricate and symbolic design characteristic of the period.

Antique jewelry object group
combined brooch-pendant

Condition
very good condition
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
France

Style
Late-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.
See also: late-Victorian
more info on styles

Style specifics
Late Victorian / early Art Nouveau - The subject of this piece, although typical 19th Century, announces the coming of the Art Nouveau style.

Period
ca. 1890
Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.

Source of inspiration
Mother Nature

Theme
flying eagle fighting a snake holding a diamond in its beak

Material
18K yellow gold (touchstone tested)
more info on precious metals

Extra information
Eagle symbolism - The eagle symbolized strength, courage, farsightedness and immortality. It is considered to be the king of the air and the messenger of the highest Gods. Mythologically, it is connected by the Greeks with the God Zeus, by the Romans with Jupiter, by the Germanic tribes with Odin and by Christians with God. Read more about the eagle and its symbolism.

Snakes and serpents - Snakes and serpents are one of the oldest and most widespread mythological symbols . Considerable overlap exists in the symbolic values that serpents represent in various cultures. Some such overlap is due to the common historical ancestry of contemporary symbols. Much of the overlap, however, is traceable to the common biological characteristics of snakes.

A lot can be said about snakes and serpents. They have been worshipped since the Dark Ages and are a powerful religious symbol with many different meanings, like death and resurrection, while they have also been associated with healing and rivergods and also denote fertility, wisdom and the ability to cure.

Diamonds
One old brilliant cut diamond with an estimated weight of ± 0.20ct colour and clarity F/H, si
All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.
All diamonds we offer are screened by the I.J.G.C. for whether they are natural or synthetic, and all diamonds in this jewel are 100% guaranteed to be natural.

Birthstones
Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
more info on birthstones

Hallmarks
The French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle's head that was in use in France from about 1838.
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
width 6,44 cm (2,54 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
15,70 gram (10,10 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
22272-0061

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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