made in Vienna, Austria, circa 1890s.
This Belle Epoque antique 14K gold and silver brooch features a rock crystal reverse intaglio. The rock crystal cabochon is finely carved with three flying swallows into its flat back and sealed with a rectangular mother of pearl plaque, which serves as a background for the bird carving. The bezel of the rock crystal carving is accented by old rose cut diamonds set in silver over gold.
The brooch is marked with a fox head Austro-Hungarian 3rd gold standard, “A” for Vienna, and maker’s initials ‘GN”.
Length – 35 mm (1 3/8 in.), width – 19 mm (6/8 in.)
