Victorian Lion-Serpent Brooch

The Victorian fascination with exotic and mythological creatures was only limited by their imagination.  This brooch features a fierce lion-headed serpent with a tail of flame-like acanthus leaves.  He warily guards a glowing pearl set in the center with a jealous green eye.  Created by Carter, Howe & Co. in 14kt gold, circa 1890.

The brooch is beautifully crafted and is secured with a "C" clasp and pin.  A chatelaine hook below allows a watch or other pendant to be suspended beneath the brooch.  Part of the beauty of Victorian jewels is the care with which they were designed and crafted.

This brooch was created by Carter, Howe & Company (predecessor to Carter, Gough & Co.), a maker of beautiful brooches and other jewels during the decades around 1900.  The firm's mark, an arrowhead surrounding a "C", is found on the clasp.  The clasp is also stamped "14K" for the purity of the gold.

Name:  Serpent and Acanthus

Cost:  Although this beautiful brooch has sold,  you will find many more fine brooches in the Antique Brooch Gallery.

Measurements:  This Victorian brooch is crafted in 14kt yellow gold and weighs 5.1 grams.   It measures 1 1/8" tall by just over 1" wide.