pietra dura pieces are such a delight and technical, artistic feat, and this one also happens to be particularly unusual in its hues, motif, and construction. it's very very difficult to date a piece like this, but it appears to be quite old, and best guesses based on condition and construction date it to around the 1920s
until recently this piece was a brooch, which had an older closure and didn't lend itself to everyday wear. the brooch hardware has been expertly removed and replaced with a double bail
solid unmarked 14k yellow gold with a rosy hue likely from time-earned patina with lapis and other hard stones, backed with ceramic(?)
M E A S U R E M E N T S
~23.5mm north to south excluding bails x ~36mm east to west including prongs
large sturdy round bail has a ~5mm opening
weighs 6.5g
C O N D I T I O N
in good antique condition
pietra dura pieces are mosaics, so they necessarily have many pieces that are assembled together. this one also has some time-earned fractures through some of the individual component pieces of the mosaic. this is time-earned and it doesn't appear to be impacting the structural integrity of the piece.
one dove's eye has faded, but the etched indentation is still there and could likely be darkened by someone familiar with pietra dura restorations, or someone experienced in adding color to hard stones without impacting the rest of the stone
prongs are all tight and secure
it's a surprisingly wearable piece for its intricacy, size, and delicate construction
minor losses/chips around the edge of the lapis
surface wear throughout the surface of the mosaic
This is an antique item and will show surface scratches, dents, dings, dulling, wear, patina, and signs of having been worn and loved
S H O P A G R E E M E N T S
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