This brooch dates from the English Victorian period ( probably around the 1880's to the turn of the century ) but as there are no hallmarks it could have been made in continental Europe. It is a beautiful item made of silver with gilding. The Angel or Cherub has a detailed face with curly hair. His wings feature finely engraved feathers which have been gold washed, a technique the French refer to as Vermeil. The whole thing appears to have been made by a casting process. On the reverse there is a very long 19th type pin with the old-fashioned 'c' type fastening. There is also a loop which would allow the piece to be worn from a chain. The quality is truely exceptional! The piece measures approx 5 cms (2ins) from wing tip to wing tip and about 2.75 cms (1inch) across at its widest point.
