Brooches

Vintage rich blue enamel pierced work gilded continental silver compact in an elegantly shaped case with pierced work to the front engraved with scrolls flowers and leaves over rich blue enamel while the centre features a detailed bouquet of different flowers in blues, pinks, apricots, whites and green leaves with an engraved border surrounding the bouquet and the edge of the top. The sides are finely engraved with scrolls and the back with a floral centrepiece and scrolling surrounds. The centre encloses a bevelled mirror and a gilded interior.

These compacts were often made in Italy but this is the first we have seen with the overall pierced work and a floral centrepiece. Most featured brightly dressed courtly ladies. This one is exceptional in the quality and subtlety of the enamel and pierced work.