Antique French Tortoise Shell Mourning Brooch, 18k Gold Pique, Early Victorian Era
An early Victorian era (c.1840s) French made mourning brooch, 35mm in diameter and 8mm thick plus the gold hinge and c-clasp pin back. Lots of inlay marquetry and pique work on this one. Beautifully crafted 18k gold creating an elaborate latticework as central focus, with a border of flowers and leaves encircling the perimeter - some of which have been lost to the centuries. Fine old tortoise shell carved in a deep convex form. That silver pin attached to its brass mount could be replacement (see images for your evaluation). It is typically over-long as a pin, which might indicate it is the original. Very good condition for age and type. . I find nothing to report as a flaw. All of that 20mm encircled lattice work is intact and tightly fitted. The remaining border pique workin 18k gold are evenly spaced, each group of 2 tiny flowers and 2 leaves but between each one can see evidence of larger flowers having once been between the clusters of 4 - might be one or 2 fell out and the othe