DATE: Victorian, c.1870

A superb mid Victorian pique brooch dating from the 1870s. It's a round, slightly domed shape, inlayed with gold and silver, and featuring a butterfly at the centre surrounded by an elaborately embellished border. The butterfly represented the soul - or Psyche - in Greek mythology, and as such it's likely that that this was a mourning piece to be worn in the memory of a dearly beloved.

MEASUREMENTS 

3.8cm diameter

WEIGHT 

7.2g

MARKS 

No marks present

CONDITION 

Very good, a small chip to the outer edge (not visible when worn)