This stunning antique Art Deco plique-a-jour winged scarab brooch is crafted in 935 silver (a higher grade than sterling at 925) and was likely made in Germany.
Superb quality this piece is a miniature work of art. The outspread wings are set in red-orange and green plique-a-jour enamel accented at the top in a line of sparkling marcasite gemstones. A glowing orange carnelian carved into a scarab beetle is set in the centre of the brooch forming his abdomen and a tiny red ruby serves as his twinkling eye. The brooch is stamped with a makers mark on the pin stem that is obscured, it looks like an L, W and T in 3 separate square punches.
Plique-à-jour (French for "letting in daylight") is an extremely challenging jewellery technique and German period pieces in particular are very desirable. Couple this with the Art Deco era's obsession with all things Egyptian, a craze that began in 1923 when Howard Carter opened Tutankhamen's tomb, then this piece has it all!
DETAILS:
MATERIALS: 935 silver, enamel
GEMSTONE: Presidium tested, oval carnelian 11x7mm, ruby 1mm diameter
MEASUREMENTS: 2-1/2"/6.5cm across, 2cm/3/4" high
DATE: circa 1920-1930, Art Deco
WEIGHT: 8.5 grams
HALLMARKS: stamped "935" along with a makers mark on the pin
CONDITION: in excellent antique condition with no damage to the enamel work and the pin back in perfect working order. We have more photos of this piece on our website at www.mercymadge.com
Materials: 935 Silver, Enamel, Carnelian, Ruby, Marcasite.