Georgian Cut Steel Brooch - Original on sale Antique

Georgian Cut Steel Brooch - Original Antique

Here is a lovely original late Georgian era cut steel brooch. Brooch is good sized and measures just over 2" in width by 1 5/8" in height with period correct tube hinge on sale and "c" clasp closure with pin back extending beyond the body of the brooch by more than 1/4". In good condition, still captures the light very nicely. Back of the brooch shows the age in that each cut steel brad is affixed and riveted and there are multiple facets on each brad. In general, the smaller the pieces of cut steel used in the jewelry, the earlier the item was. Later jewelry had larger cut steel brads.

Developed in England in the early 1600s, originally for buckles and buttons, cut steel became wildly popular from the Georgian through the Victorian eras, cut steel jewelry in the warm glow of candlelight must have been something to behold. Motifs varied from the simple to the sublime, with multiple layers and densely packed studs. Designs could be enhanced by the use of varying sized studs as well. Each stud could have up to 15 facets, and in general the finer and older the piece the more facets the studs will have. Though obviously less expensive than pieces made with precious stones, cut steel jewelry wasn't simply a substitute. The well-to-do wore it often. Napoleon Bonaparte, on his second marriage to Marie-Louise of Austria commissioned a whole parure of cut steel for his new bride. Made in both England and Europe, this style of jewelry fell out of favor by the end of the 19th century, but it still as lovely today as it was in its height of popularity! Popular from the Georgian through the Victorian eras, cut steel jewelry in the warm glow of candlelight must have been something to behold.

Please take a look at my other original Victorian and Georgian era brooches -
http://www.etsy.com/shop/victoriansentiments?section_id=7179660