Vintage antique 18K yellow gold griffin dragon brooch

Antique jewelry object group
brooch

Condition
very good condition
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Country of origin
unknown

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
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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
Mythology

Theme
Griffin - The griffin, a strange and legendary creature, usually represented as being part eagle and part lion (and occasionally part serpent). As the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of the birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. Griffins are normally known for guarding treasure. In antiquity it was a symbol of divine power and a guardian of the divine. Most contemporary illustrations give the griffin forelegs like an eagle's legs with talons, although in some older illustrations it has a lion's forelimbs; it generally has a lion's hindquarters. Its eagle's head is conventionally given prominent ears; these are sometimes described as the lion's ears, but are often elongated (more like a horse's), and are sometimes feathered. The griffin motif is found in sculpture of the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, and Romans; in beast allegories of the early Christians; and in Gothic architecture of the late Middle Ages. The griffin remains common in heraldry, representing strength and vigilance.

Material
18K yellow gold (touchstone tested)
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Precious stones
One pearl

Birthstones
Pearl is the birthstone (or month stone) for June.
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Hallmarks
No trace.
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Dimensions
width 4,50 cm (1,77 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
11,00 gram (7,07 dwt)


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Adin Reference Nº
22272-0064

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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