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Brenda Ginsberg Antiques & Jewelry

Louis Wiese Antique French Victorian Gold Opal Brooch Chinese Dragon (5808)

Louis Wiese Antique French Victorian Gold Opal Brooch Chinese Dragon (5808)

Regular price $15,000.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $15,000.00 USD
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Antique Victorian brooch / pin. 18k yellow gold and opals. Made in France by Louis Wiese (the son of Jules Wiese) circa 1895.

Measurements: just under 1 3/4 inches (43mm) across. Weighs 31.5grams.

Large gold brooch in the form of an Ouroboros - a dragon with it's own tail in its mouth. A most unusual form of dragon, clearly influenced by Chinese dragons and guardian fu dogs. Openwork chased gold in an arching, multi-level brooch, with many scrolls echoing the ocean and sun rays at the same time as the Chinese dragon theme. The eyes are a pair of Colette set opals. We simply snapped a number of pictures of the opals without changing the light - simply by moving the brooch very slightly and the results are shown in the 5th group of photos. As you can see, the colors range from red, through blues to greens. Original clasp. Louis Wiese, like his father was famous as a superb jeweler in Paris during the 19th century.

Marks: the brooch is signed: WIESE is engraved above the firm's lozenge that is also engraved with the name WIESE. The French gold eagle mark (for 18k gold) is on the pin of the clasp.

Condition: good with minor wear commensurate with age. Please see enlarged pictures for details and don't hesitate to ask questions - we will do our best to answer. Comparison: Wartski's in London has a very similar brooch with sapphire eyes. I was told that their price is $20 000.00

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