Antique 1869 Hand Chased Sterling Agate Bloodstone Brooch Layered Construction

Offered here is an antique Victorian Scottish sterling silver brooch featuring native stones. Scottish agates including white lace, as well as several pieces of bloodstone, were hand cut and bezel set in the mount. The brooch has beautiful hand-chasing throughout. This brooch has kitemark on the reverse. Kitemarks were used to identify place and date a piece was made. This beauty was made in Birmingham England on 10 January 1869. A fashion craze in England began after Queen Victoria's visit to Scotland.

This particular brooch is a plaid or tartan pin that was used to secure the wearers clan tartan to their chest/shoulder area. The bloodstone in this brooch has beautiful red drops across the green of the stone. A gorgeous piece of white lace agate is also part of the border.

The stones on the arms of the cross form thistles. Knots separate the agates and add interest to the border. On the reverse you can see the layered construction with each arm of the cross attached to the base of the brooch. One of the agates has a chip. In the same area you can see that one of the agates has crazing but it is stable in the setting.

Both of these issues can be seen photo #9. Please look at all the photos so that you can judge condition. The brooch is in good antique condition with wear commensurate with age 153 years old!