Exhibit Antiques has dated this Scottish Agate Bow Brooch to the Victorian era.
A beautiful 19th-century Victorian silver and jasper brooch in the form of a bow dating to c1860.
The silver is mounted with a handmade scrolling c-clasp, pin and tube hinge. Unmarked, as is the case with much of the Scottish silver jewellery produced during the mid-Victorian era.
The agates exhibited on this brooch are; A "classic" bloodstone to the centre, the birthstone for March, Pisces. This is a green jasper (chalcedony quartz) with red hematite inclusions. This type is famously found on the Isle of Rum on the west coast of the island at Sgurr Mhor, otherwise known as Bloodstone Hill and is closed to collectors after being taken over by Scottish Natural Heritage.
A campsie jasper, very finely mottled yellow and black with flashes of red hue spread throughout, native to central Scotland and named after where it’s found in the Campsie Hills north of Glasgow.
Lastly, a red jasper with subtle amber-to-brown undertones, likely another campsie jasper exhibiting more hematite (red iron oxide) than goethite (yellow iron oxide). Red hues are found more commonly in Scotland due to these iron oxides causing maroon to crimson shades throughout the mountains and valleys, however, the presence of yellow undertones is more area-specific and suggests Burn Anne as an alternative source.
Date & Origin
Scotland. Period of Queen Victoria, c1860.
Condition
Excellent. The clasp is in full working order.
Dimensions
Diameter: 7.2cm x 1.7cm
Historical Context
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Scotland in 1842 returning annually after being swept away by the charm and splendour of the Perthshire hills. The Royals' admiration towards the land and people promoted a similar reaction from their subjects.
The boom in trade between the nations saw that Scottish trinkets and motifs became very popular, especially the so-called ‘pebble jewellery’ that Queen Victoria had collected as souvenirs. The rarer Aberdeen granite may be classed as one such ‘pebble’, however, most are semi-precious chalcedony quartz gemstones that include agate and jasper, with some specimens being exclusively collected from particular regions of Scotland.
Exhibit Antiques has dated this Scottish Agate Bow Brooch to the Victorian era.
Specialists in 18th & 19th century antique glass
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Exhibit Antiques Profile Page
Victorian Scottish Silver & Jasper Bow Brooch c1860
