Created in the true spirit of the Arts and Crafts movement, this whimsical and unique brooch has been wrought by hand from unusual, organic materials: Fashioned as a butterfly in repose, it has been formed to from two ridged, pearly shell wings extending from a swirling, iridescent blue-green abalone body. The layered rainbow bursts of the abalone shell are gorgeously echoed by the delicately colorful pearlescence of the interior of the two bivalve halves.
While the silver clasp to the reverse and the rivets to the two shell halves are quite roughly done, the thin border surrounding the abalone and the thin silver tendrils of its antennae are finely textured and scored.
Emerging as a response to machine made jewels, Arts and Crafts celebrated the individual artisan, slow, old-world techniques, and low production numbers. It also simultaneously rejected and subverted the elaborate gold and gem-focused commercial products available and popular at the time with its use of naturalistic, often semi to non-precious materials and pared down designs.
In excellent antique condition. Under magnification two small chips can be observed towards the bug’s head. The brooch in full measures 1.93 inches in length by 1.12 in height (including protrusions of the leg and antenna). The shell wings each measure 19.5mm by 22mm, while the abalone thorax alone measures 21mm by 8.6mm. It weighs 10.9 grams.
One of a kind; authentic to the core to the zeitgest of the era and school of thought.
Kindly examine the photographs carefully as they are part of the description. Please feel free to request another angle or view if needed.
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Returns and exchanges are accepted within 3 days of delivery date. Item must be shipped within one week of my written confirmation of the return or exchange and its subsequent details. Return shipping must be insured and will be the buyer's responsibility.
Items must be received in the same condition as sold/shipped. Any customs/tariffs/import fees/taxes incurred in the purchase are similarly the buyer's responsibility.Should the buyer fail to pick up the package or provide a correct address for its shipment and it is then subsequently returned to me, there will be a restocking fee of up to 10% to be deducted from the refund. If reshipment is desired, it is available at the buyer's cost.Items on sale are eligible for returns following the policies outlined above. There will also be a restocking fee of up to 10% to be deducted from the refund.
Products sold as is. The majority of my items are antiques which means they are at least 100 years old and have lived many lives. The rest of my pieces are vintage, pre-worn and pre-loved, unless otherwise noted. Please examine pictures closely as they are part of the description.
Thank you for your taking a look at my lovingly curated selection, and for your ongoing trust and support.
