A stunning rolled-gold eagle brooch with exceptional detail and a beautiful finish. C-clasp.
During the Napoleon’s Empire era, many decorative objects featured eagles. The ancient Greeks and Romans associated the eagle with speed, strength and martial valour, as well as with their god of the sky (Zeus in Greek mythology, Jupiter in Roman mythology). The eagle was also a symbol of the Franks and Charlemagne, and had Christian connotations. It had long been associated with royal, imperial and divine rulers. Prussia, Russia and Austria already used the eagle as a symbol, as did the new republic of the United States. Napoleon believed the eagle would give his new Empire the appearance of grandeur, power and longevity. He also admired the ancient Romans. The eagle was just one aspect of the classical Roman style that came to influence the Empire’s art, architecture and décor
In the mid-Victorian/Napoleon III era, many of the jewels were made of rolled-gold, in which a “sandwich” consisting of a plate of copper between two thin plates of gold is compressed between rollers to the required thickness and then stamped into the form of the jewel. Companies such as Fix, founded in 1829, specialized in high quality rolled gold jewellery, heightening the demand for gold jewelry of all carats. Rolled gold pieces from this era have 100 times the amount of actual gold than modern gold plating, and many are now as valuable –if not more so—than 14k or 18k pieces due to their unique designs and patina. “Fix” jewels often test as 9k.
MATERIAL:
Rolled Gold
AGE:
1829-1870
CONDITION:
Very good – surface wear commensurate with age and use
SIZE:
H 1 cm
W 5 cm
WEIGHT:
2.73 g
Please read descriptions and inspect photos carefully, paying careful attention to size and weight. Due to the age of antique and vintage jewelry, minor abrasions and wear of finishes is normal and appreciated. All items have been tested to be in working/usable condition, unless otherwise stated. Please take care to understand safe cleaning methods for each type of gem and metal. Jewelry pieces are carefully wrapped, ribboned and shipped in an elegant velvet box.
