This is a little antique silver brooch - it is not hallmarked (as was common at this time) and Victorian in date, probably dating to the 1870s or 1880s.
It is sold as being silver.
It has an antique pin and hinge setting and a little silver safety ring on the back so that you could add a chain if you so wished.
This is a pretty Victorian Scottish brooch: it has a diameter of 3.7 cm ) x 4.3 cm - so a great halo brooch or pin for a cloak, scarf or sweater.
It is in excellent condition as you can see in my photographs.
HISTORY: Agate jewellery has been produced in Scotland for hundreds of years, though it was Queen Victoria’s love affair with all things Scottish that propelled this distinctive type of jewellery to public view. Popular designs were ‘plaid’ brooches where pieces of agates were laid together to form a kind of mosaic pattern.
The death of Queen Victoria in 1901 saw a decline in the popularity of Scottish pebble jewellery.
The front of the brooch is inset with specimen polished agates which come from all around Scotland and are often found as pebbles in Scottish river beds. When it came to wearing Scottish agates, brooches were more commonly worn as they were both beautiful and functional, holding those heavy Victorian garments, capes, and kilts in place. Agate bracelets, earrings, and rings were slightly more unusual.
Many pieces were made as tourist trinkets for travellers who flocked to the Cairngorms to discover the beauty and serenity of the Scottish mountains.
UK postage for this lovely silver brooch will be priced at £4.95 and applied at checkout.