This Victorian frog brooch from Alaska comprises an amphibian trio crafted in 14k yellow gold with applied 24k Alaskan gold nuggets weighing 8.4g and measuring 137mm long, the largest frog measuring 22mm wide and 8mm deep, the smaller ones 12mm wide and 7mm deep. Inspired by the late Victorian 'novelty jewelry', this authentic brooch depicts the temptingly sweet sculptures of a frog 'trio' exquisitely rendered in 24k gold nuggets to represent the accurate and natural anatomy of frogs. Each of the three brooches is outfitted with a pin and retractable hook closure, the alluring frogs being adjoined by delicately linked chains, offering versatility of wear in varying positions, accommodating the Victorian style of wearing corsage ornaments. The frog's eyes are round-faceted emeralds graded 'light forest-green' color and 'fair' clarity while the underside of the pins is rendered in untextured gold and engraved 'Alaska gold' on the large frog in addition to one of the identical small frogs.

Referred to as 'craze of Fin de Siecle', brooches designed as insects, birds and animals enjoyed great popularity in the 1890's and were worn by Victorian women not as single ornamental pieces, but in a row, irrespective of the attire worn. Novelty brooches were adorned with rabbits biting a carrot, chickens just emerging from enamel egg-shells, the latter referred to as 'just-out' brooches, frogs, dogs, kittens playing with a ball and numerous other motifs. Initially rendered in gold with diamonds and colored gemstones, motifs of novelty jewelry gained increasing popularity amongst Art Nouveau designers who produced delicate birds and insects applying their refined plique-a-jour enamel techniques.

Gold was first discovered in Southeast Alaska in the 1870's following the discovery of gold in British Columbia in 1861. Alaska's first significant gold strike came in Juneau in 1880, when two prospectors guided by an Indian found 'large pieces of quartz, spangled over with gold'. On their initial trip, they collected a thousand pounds of ore and the city itself is named after one of the miners called Joseph Juneau. Richard Harris, the second miner, gave his name to the Harris Mining District. The most recent gold strike, believed to be the largest, is a huge gold and copper deposit found near Lake Lliamna, southwest of Anchorage, it is estimated to contain huge amounts of gold and the second largest deposit of copper in North America.

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Suggested Retail Price: $1,000.00 Your Price: $650.00 $350.00 Wholesale Price: $500.00