Circa 1860, a superb large size antique Whitby Jet Victorian brooch set with a hand-painted porcelain plaque of a Tyrolean gypsy boy wearing a green hat. These porcelain portraits were hand-painted in Austria and Italy in the 19th century and sent to the Jet workshops in Whitby to be incorporated into the jewellery. By far the most popular subject with sentimental Victorians ladies was this "green boy" vagabond. He was painted in a myriad of individual painterly styles and impressions but he was always depicted wearing a green hat!
This is a charming and skillful painting of the green boy with lots of lovely detailing from his fur waistcoat down to a feather and ribbon in his hat. The plaque is set into an elegant facet cut deep black glossy Jet frame that has a heavy duty brass fitting on the reverse with a sturdy pin back.
Not to be confused with French Jet, which is glass, Whitby Jet is a fossilized mineral gemstone millions of years old that is only found in and around the cliffs at Whitby, a seaside hamlet in England. It is lightweight and warm to the touch and when polished it is a beautiful intense black with a high shine. If you have never enjoyed genuine antique Whitby jet jewellery before then here is your chance. This brooch is a charming and elegant way to connect yourself with Victorian fashion and sentiment, very collectible too!
ERA: Mid-Victorian circa 1860
GEMESTONE: Whitby Jet
SIZE: 2-1/4" (5.5cm) tall, 1-3/4" (4.5cm) wide, 5/8" deep (approx. 55x38x22mm).
CONDITION: this brooch remains in excellent antique condition with only the lightest of surface wear and the jet damage free.
WEIGHT: 18.7 grams
At Mercy Madge we offer antique and vintage jewellery that is special and each piece is hand selected by us for you. We rarely come across two identical old treasures, once they are gone, they are truly gone! All of our jewellery is sympathetically cleaned and polished and ready for you to wear and enjoy.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SHIPPING - FREE SHIPPING worldwide, orders are despatched next business day and sent tracked and insured.
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DISCOUNT? - find special discount and no sales tax on our website at www.mercymadge.com
BUYING A GIFT? - all items will arrive gift wrapped in a Mercy Madge custom jewellery box.
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Materials: Whitby Jet.