Date 1875 Scottish Agate Specimen Pole Axe Brooch

A lovely piece for the collector, dating to 1875, a splendid hand crafted specimen Victorian Scottish Agate brooch which is fashioned as a pole axe, an old Scottish battle weapon which is basically an axe with a spike at the top.  

'Scottish' Jewellery became very fashionable in the mid 19th century, popularised by the visits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to Scotland and after their purchase of the Balmoral Estate in 1852. 

From the Victoria and Albert Museum; 

'In the early years of the 19th century, the poetry and novels of Sir Walter Scott put Scotland on the tourist map. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were very fond of Scotland. Scottish pebble jewellery, already fashionable in the 18th century, became a popular souvenir. Birmingham jewellers responded to the demand, sometimes using stones from countries other than Scotland.'

Superior quality, this jewel displays an array of stones and much care has been taken in the arrangement of the stones to create the most striking effect. The natural patterns and colours are shown in their wonderful earthy contrast; we believe the stones to be yellow/red Porphyry and Bloodstone and Jasper. The precision of the workmanship is astounding, in particular the cutting and setting of the stones and we can say that this piece is typical of the work of James Fenton of Birmingham, in particular the knarled engraving seen between the stones. There is a registration kitemark which gives us the date to the reverse. 

In perfect condition, it measures 7.5cm lengthwise, and fastens with the traditional 'C' clasp.

Read about the kitemark system on British Victorian jewellery here.