Antique Early Victorian Mourning Brooch, Tortoise Shell 18k Gold and Silver Pique Marquetry

Elegant early Victorian era (c.1840s) mourning brooch, French 38mm in diameter and 8mm thick plus the gold hinge and c-clasp pin back. Lots of inlay marquetry and pique work on this one, 18k gold and silver creating an exotic bird and florals with elaborate scalloping border encircling the perimeter. Fine old tortoise shell carved in a deep convex form, I see no flaws to note on this one, unless that silver pin attached to its gold mount could be replacement (see images for your evaluation). It is typically over-long as a pin, which might indicate it is the original. 

Very good to excellent condition throughout. I find nothing to report as a flaw. All pique and inlays are intact on this stunning old one. Nearly 200 years old now. From my own collections, being disbursed.

IMPORTANT NOTE regarding antique tortoise shell or ivory: We are great supporters of protection for endangered species in our modern world. We never buy or sell anything 100 years or newer; we donate to anti-poaching organizations; we don’t hunt; we conserve in ways that impact global warming (we’re totally solar at home), knowing those measures also protect the animals in the wild today. We also recognize the vast cultural history we preserve with our care and reverence for these antique objects, and agree with CITES that objects over 100 years of age have nothing whatsoever to do with species depletion in our current world. 

Our offering exceeds the age limitation of “more than 100 years of age”, and is well within the exemption for CITES regulation. If imported, met the CITES regulation. This item will be handled and shipped from our Utah business, and is not available for shipment internationally, nor within the USA to California, NY, Nevada, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington if it contains ivory, sorry. Please see our small print for more details.