What a fate to be the god of wine, dancing, passions, emotions and instincts! A rare and magnificent hand-carved Victorian Whitby Jet brooch featuring a right facing cameo image of Bacchus with grapes in his hair. In Roman mythology, Bacchus was the god of wine, agriculture, and earthly pleasures. Victorians loved the weird, wonderful, and mythological, so these fanciful themes were abundant in art and jewelry. 
This brooch has been adapted from another much-older jewelry piece (probably a bracelet or pendant; see side holes) and the gold-plated backplate and safety clasp are a later 19THcentury addition. (This adaptation is reflected in the price.)
Safety clasp. 
 
Georgian and Victorian black jewelry pieces have had a recent resurgence in popularity due to their unique histories and symbolism combined with a sleek elegance that is remarkably contemporary.
 
180 million years old, the gemstone Whitby jet is anaerobically fossilised wood of the Araucaria tree usually found in the cliffs of the North Yorkshire coastline. It is known for its deep blackness, glossy shine, and light weight, making it ideal for larger jewelry pieces. Though Whitby Jet has been used for jewelry-making since the Bronze Age and was also extremely popular during the Roman and Viking Eras, the first Whitby Jet-carving workshop was created in 1808. The fine craftsmanship of the carvers and beauty of the pieces attracted many influential people internationally, most notably the Empress of France and Queen Victoria, who wore primarily Whitby Jet jewelry after the loss of Prince Albert in 1861. The cost, rarity and popularity of Whitby Jet inspired many other lovely Victorian-era black jet copycats such as French Jet and Vulcanite, though nothing can quite compete with the unique light weight, deep-blackness (consequently known as “jet black) and lustrous finish of real Whitby Jet. 
 
PRICE:
$285
 
MATERIAL:
Whitby Jet, Gilt Metal
 
AGE: 
1800s
 
CONDITION: 
Good – surface wear commensurate with age and use. 
 
SIZE: 
H 3.5cm
W 3cm
 
WEIGHT:
14.42g
 
Please read descriptions and inspect photos carefully, paying careful attention to size and weight. Due to the age of antique and vintage jewelry, minor abrasions and wear of finishes is normal and appreciated. All items have been tested to be in working/usable condition, unless otherwise stated. Please take care to understand safe cleaning methods for each type of gem and metal. Jewelry pieces are carefully wrapped, ribboned and shipped in an elegant velvet box. Antique boxes in photos are for illustrative purposes only.