Antique Victorian Era Hand Carved Dieppe, France, Ivory Brooch, 19th c. Restoration

Old collections being disbursed, this is one I’ve had for decades, unique in that it has a 19th century restoration which is also both interesting and an artisan’s expert work. This is a large 2″ wide ivory brooch, carved elegantly as a sprig of roses and leaves. Beautifully preserved in spite of how delicate it looks, and the interesting restoration viewed from backside shows you how precious these old ones were – rather than lose it and its sentiment, an intricate restoration is done to keep it sturdy and wearable. I’ve always found the restorations of fine old treasure interesting. The carving is mid to late Victorian era. When we enlarge these so much for photos, the fine detail seems more course. I assure you, this is delicate and exquisite in person and in wear. Shown in a period box which is only a prop and is not original to it and will not attend it in the sale (does not close over the deep carving).

Good to very good condition for age and type. If there’s a flaw to the roses carving, I have not found it. But as you can see, the slender stems and leaves have suffered a break at some point and have been professionally restored, supported from back by an intricate one-of-a-likd apparatus and pins. A glimpse into restoration work of the 1800s. A pair of larger rose blossoms and the slender stems and leaves are all there, though restoration work done – all just beautifully conceived and carved. Full measurements noted on the photos. Box does not go with it. 

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.