Large Victorian Banded Agate Pinchbeck Brooch

A fantastic large Victorian brooch showcasing 11 beautiful and uniquely striped polished banded agates, likely Scottish, set into a golden metal frame believed to be pinchbeck.

Pinchbeck is a gold substitute, now collectible in its own right, originally made to a secret formula devised by Christopher Pinchbeck in the early 18th century. It is an alloy of copper and zinc, like brass, but uses much more copper and less zinc than brass. Although pinchbeck can tarnish over time it does not wear in the same way as other materials such as gold plating or rolled gold. You don’t often find pinchbeck items made after about 1840 - as nine-carat gold became legal, enabling people to buy less expensive gold jewellery, and electro-gilding was invented (a kind of gold plate), pinchbeck fell by the wayside.

SIZE: 3.5 x 4.5cm.

WEIGHT: 15.7g.

MATERIALS: Banded agate, pinchbeck.

HALLMARKS/STAMPS: None found.

CONDITION: In very good antique condition; there is a little wear to the golden surfaces when the brooch is seen from the back.

ERA: Estimated Victorian (c.mid-19th century).

Antique and vintage boxes photographed are for display only and are not included unless stated in the description. 

Please be sure to examine all the photos carefully as they form part of the description, and do feel free to ask if you have any questions, we’re always happy to help where we can!

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