Very stylish late 19th century gold griffin

Very stylish late 19th century gold griffin.

Every now and then we run into an outstanding piece of antique jewelry, and this brooch is such a piece. The animal pictured is a so called griffin. The griffin, an old mythological motif, was used a lot in the late nineteenth century, in the transitional period between Victorian and Art Nouveau.

This nicely embossed griffin, which is created with great skill, has a long vegetal-like tail that curls around its body to create the frame of the brooch. The tail ends in a flower-like shape. In its beak it holds a very nice and vivid old mine brilliant cut diamond in a surprisingly good quality (read specifications below). The spread wing and both claws placed over the border of the brooch give the whole subject a very dynamic expression.

This conversation piece "par excelence" will surely find its proud owner soon.

OBJECT GROUP : Brooches
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN : Most probably France
STYLE : Late Victorian or early Art nouveau
PERIOD : 1880
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION : Mythological themes
THEME : Griffin
EXTRA INFO : Greek hybrid creatures - A hybrid is a composite of or two or more species of animal and/or human. Strange as they may appear, the Greeks were endlessly fond of fabricating these creatures - one will recognize hybrids in the earliest myths and legends, not to mention inhabiting numerous works of art. For the Greeks especially, these beings of the imagination must have had great significance, in that they represented the uncivilized forces in nature that opposed mankind. The seven most known hybrids are:
The centaur - In Greek mythology and art, the centaur has the torso of a human combined with the body of a horse.
The cockatrice - this creature was also known as a basilisk ("king of serpents"), and its very glance could kill; the cockatrice was composed of a dragon's tail and assorted poultry parts.
The giants (gigantes) - These fierce and frightening beings were the offspring of Gaia (the Earth).
The griffin - According to myth, the griffin was a creature with a lion's body attached to the head, wings, and claws of an eagle.
The harpy - Harpies had female torsos melded with vulture parts; the name harpy is derived from the Greek word that means "snatcher".
The satyrs (faun) - Satyrs were often the companions of Dionysos, and these creatures were depicted in myth and art with the legs of goats and bestial natures.
The sirens - Women with bird-like bodies; sirens were legendary for luring sailors by singing their enchanted songs.
MATERIAL : 18K yellow gold
WEIGHT : 20.60 gram (13.25 dwt)
STONE WEIGHT : one old mine brilliant cut diamond weighing approx. 0.70 crt
STONE COLOR : Approx. H
STONE CLARITY : Approx. vvs/vs
ENGRAVING : Backside is slighty engraved as is common with a lot of French jewelry.
HALLMARKS : None
CONDITION : Extremely good condition

SIZE :
Measured on the longest diagonal 4.20 cm (1.65 inch) and height 2.50 cm (0.98 inch)


Please when referring to this piece, mention the following number: 04194-1933, or click here.


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Griffin jewelry
Mytholocal jewelry