Wonderful Large Antique Porcelain Portrait Brooch

THE STORY - This brooch seized my attention as I peered through the jewellery shop window as for me it conveyed a very dramatic presence which I think this was mostly because of its size which is pretty large and because of the use of the dark grey background which the face of the beautiful young boys appears out of. The brooch would date to the end of the 1800s and I am pretty certain is not British, it is most likely to be either German or Austrian. The image is painted on an oval porcelain disc which is set in a simple white metal mount. The mount is not marked Iso I am not selling it as silver but my instinct tells me it could well be. These porcelain portraits can often be seen in late Victorian jewellery sometimes placed upon a jet pendant and most of the time much smaller in scale than this example and most of the time I think I am being fair in saying not as finely painted at this one, although it is an image that has been used on many an occasion. On the back of the brooch there are simply impressed the numbers 22 and 1 but no makers marks. The brooch has a 'C' clasp to close it with as well as a safety chain.

AGE - Circa 1890

CONDITION - The brooch is in very good condition with the surface free from any scratches that I can see. The mount too is in good condition with the porcelain still sitting securely within. As I hope you can see from my photos the pin of the brooch is a little bent but still closed securely and the safety chain I think may have been added at a later day as I can see some soldering at the joint.

DIMENSIONS (Approx) - Height 2&1/4" / 6cm, Width 2" / 5cm, Depth 1/8" / 0.5cm

I can't help but think this brooch would look as stunning today when worn with our 21st Century Clothes as it did when the original owner pinned it to their 19th Century Clothes although those clothes may well be mighty difference in appearance. And for me that simple plain mount complements the brooch perfectly as it is gives all the attention to that beautiful portrait but helps it convey a strength and an integrity.