Jet Brooch ‘Argyle Design’

This lovely nineteenth-century bar brooch is hand-carved from genuine jet and showcases an ornate argyle pattern with intercrossing diagonal lines across its central rectangular section. Its craftsmanship and unique design exemplify the era’s artistry.

The material of this brooch is the fossilised wood of Araucaria araucana (Monkey Puzzle) and related species that thrived during the Jurassic period, approximately 150 to 180 million years ago. Its deep, lustrous black colour and rarity made it highly valued in the Victorian era (1860–1890), when jet brooches like this one were worn both for their elegance and symbolic meaning as cherished tokens of affection or remembrance.

This dainty brooch, measuring approximately 1.6cm in height, 4.7cm in width, and 0.8cm in diameter, provides a tangible connection to the artistic and emotional values of the period. It encapsulates the style and symbolic significance of its era.

Specifications
Description: Whitby Jet
Condition: Original, very good, with only a few minor edge imperfections.
Colour: Lustrous black
Closure Type: C-Clasp
Period: Victorian era (1837-1901), late 19th century
Dimensions: H1.6cm x W4.7cm x D0.8cm, approximately

PLEASE NOTE Our antique and vintage collections are second-hand items. Customers are not purchasing ‘new’, ‘perfect’ or ‘unworn items’, and as such, should expect wear and imperfections. It is expected that these pieces will show normal wear and tear, given their age. Wear could include patina, scuffs, and light scratches or chips. Images are of actual items. Please review the photos carefully before purchasing and reach out if you have any questions.