VINTAGE STERLING SILVER AND MARQUISITE BOW AND RIBBON BROOCH

A VINTAGE STERLING SILVER (6G) AND MARQUISITE (PYRITE) PIN BROOCH IN THE SHAPE OF A BOW AND RIBBON. THE PYRITE STONES ARE TRULY GLISTERING IN THE LIGHT.

SIZE: 40MM WIDE 30MM HIGH WEIGHT: 6G
 
MARKINGS: STERLING STAMPED
 
CONDITION: SILVER HAS A BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE PATINA. ALL THE PYRITE STONES APART APPEAR TO BE THERE. STRUCTURALLY VERY GOOD.
 
MARQUISITE: Marquisite or more commonly Marcasite comes from the mineral pyrite, which is a beautiful, metallised stone similar in appearance to gold which is why it is often referred to as 'Fools Gold'.
The name Marcasite in jewellery terms comes from the Arabic word for Pyrite, which is Markaschatsa. Marcasite jewellery has been made since the time of the Incas and the Ancient Greeks. Cleopatra was reported to wear Marcasite in order to preserve her beauty.
The Incas are the first known civilization to have used marcasite in jewellery, with marcasite jewellery found in many Incan burial chambers. The stone can be found in high quantities throughout South America and has been called the GEMSTONE OF THE INCAS.
It was particularly popular in the eighteenth century, the Victorian era and with Art Nouveau (Art Nouveau style is inspired by the natural world, characterized organic shapes, arches, curving lines. Common motifs include stylized versions of leaves, flowers, vines, etc.) era (1880 1920) jewellery designers. When diamonds were banned from public display in Switzerland in the 18th century marcasite was turned to as a replacement.
 
ALSO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS LISTED.