Vintage 925 sterling silver Marcasite and Rhinestones Flower basket Brooch Pin

The brooch is designed as a floral basket, adorned with flowers and leaves, studded throughout the front with marcasite stones and set with rhinestones flowers.

This basket has a twisted handle and textured detailing to its front. Crafted in burn silver finish and Marked 925 on the back alongside the Italian maker’s mark. The cool glitter of this brooch is captivating.

It features a (slightly bent) safety clasp on the reverse.

Weight: 12.50grams, it is approx. 62 mm x 40 mm

In Very Good Vintage condition. No loss

Marcasite jewelry is jewelry made using cut and polished pieces of pyrite (fool's gold) as gemstone

Marcasite jewelry has been made since the time of the Ancient Greeks. It was particularly popular in the eighteenth century, the Victorian era and with Art Nouveau jewelry designers. When diamonds were banned from public display in Switzerland in the 18th century marcasite, along with cut steel, was turned to as a replacement.

When Prince Albert died in 1861, Queen Victoria entered a period of mourning, requiring her entire court to wear black and avoid opulent jewelry. Marcasite became popular as an understated alternative for the nobility