#antique brooch

[amatesura]

19th century antique enamel and gold trapeze figure brooch

[lookingbackatfashionhistory]

• Coburg Eagle brooch.

Designer: Prince Consort Albert (English, 1819–1861); Maker: Charles Augustus du Vé (British (active in 1840))

Medium: Gold, turquoise, pearl, ruby, diamond.

[boylerpf]

Late 19th century ruby and diamond bow pendant tassel brooch, French c.1890

Source - SJ Phillips

[gemville]

Antique Opal, Diamond and Emerald Stylized Sceptre Brooch

Source: masterart.com via Pinterest

[rubymaerose]

20s fruit glass metal brooch • 1920s vintage brooch

[butterlaneantiques]

MEDUSA

Medusa is the best known of the three monstrous Gorgon sisters. Our earliest reference to the Gorgons is found in Hesiod's Theogony, but it was Ovid who really fleshed out the story - in the Metamorphoses - where he describes Medusa in her youth: "Medusa once had charms; to gain her love A rival crowd of envious lovers strove. They, who have seen her, own, they ne'er did trace More moving features in a sweeter face. Yet above all, her length of hair, they own, In golden ringlets wav'd, and graceful shone." Her beauty caught the eye of Poseidon, who forced himself upon her in a shrine to Athena. Athena was furious; she turned Medusa's hair into snakes, and made her face so hideous that anyone who saw it was instantly turned to stone (literally petrified). In most versions of the story, Medusa was killed by Perseus who was given various items to help him on his quest: a mirrored shield from Athena, a sword forged by Hephaestus, and Hades's helm of invisibility. While looking at the reflection in the shield, Perseus was able to behead the Gorgon, at which point Pegasus flew out of her severed neck. He went on to use her head - which retained its petrifying effect - as a weapon, using it to transform the Titan Atlas into stone (where he still stands in North Africa as the Atlas Mountains), before eventually giving it to Athena. Although Medusa is commonly regarded as a monster, her head has often been seen as a protective amulet to keep evil away. Indeed, the name Medusa comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "to guard or protect".

[foxymoxyvintage]

Beautiful Antique Repousse flower brooch. Turn of the century, early 1900’s Art Nouveau floral brooch, hand painted.

[lotussgrl]

bleeding heart brooch by michael michaud

[melanchol1e]

Art Nouveau Sterling Three Swallow Brooch

[frostedmagnolias]

Brooch with a Bird's Claw

c. 1860-1870

Scottish

The Walters Art Museum

[shewhoworshipscarlin]

Butterfly brooch, 1898.

[boylerpf]

Antique Rose Cut Diamond 18K Gold Griffin Brooch

Via Boylerpf.com

[gemville]

Antique Russian Spider Brooch In 15k Gold, Enamel, Diamonds, Garnets and Amethysts

Source: Invaluable via Pinterest

[steampunktendencies]

Embroidered Moth, Dragonfly Brooches by Dali Jewelry Available here : ETSY

[butterlaneantiques]

MEDUSA

(Source: butterlaneantiques)

Medusa is the best known of the three monstrous Gorgon sisters. Our earliest reference to the Gorgons is found in Hesiod's Theogony, but it was Ovid who really fleshed out the story - in the Metamorphoses - where he describes Medusa in her youth:

"Medusa once had charms; to gain her love A rival crowd of envious lovers strove. They, who have seen her, own, they ne'er did trace More moving features in a sweeter face. Yet above all, her length of hair, they own, In golden ringlets wav'd, and graceful shone."

Her beauty caught the eye of Poseidon, who forced himself upon her in a shrine to Athena. Athena was furious; she turned Medusa's hair into snakes, and made her face so hideous that anyone who saw it was instantly turned to stone (literally petrified). In most versions of the story, Medusa was killed by Perseus who was given various items to help him on his quest: a mirrored shield from Athena, a sword forged by Hephaestus, and Hades's helm of invisibility. While looking at the reflection in the shield, Perseus was able to behead the Gorgon, at which point Pegasus flew out of her severed neck. He went on to use her head - which retained its petrifying effect - as a weapon, using it to transform the Titan Atlas into stone (where he still stands in North Africa as the Atlas Mountains), before eventually giving it to Athena.

Although Medusa is commonly regarded as a monster, her head has often been seen as a protective amulet to keep evil away. Indeed, the name Medusa comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "to guard or protect".

[bebemoon]

look inspired by "valerie a týden divů" (197o), (requested by anonymous) | cream silk georgette step-in teddy w/ embroidery, lace insertion and ribbonwork (c. 192o's), adriancompany (on etsy) lily of the valley dangle earrings in silver, gucci the alchemist's garden "a nocturnal whisper" perfume oil, small french wicker basket bag (c. 19oo's), askew london brooch w/ a pair of cherubs amid hearts and flowers and an oval mother of pearl medallion, intricate italian iron hand mirror (c. 192o's), vintage ombré green and gold millinery roses (195o's)