Description
“…The stars about the lovely moon fade back and vanish very soon, when round and full, her silver face swims into sight, and lights all space…” -Sappho.
This is an eye-catching, turn-of-the-century Bohemian garnet Czech brooch that features a crescent moon enveloping a six-pointed star. In Victorian times, the symbolism was prevalent, with the moon representing the Feminine moon goddess and the star as guidance and direction. Some also believe it is a romantic gesture, as in “I give you the moon and the stars.” The pavé set, rose cut garnets in gilt (gold over silver), create an outstanding sparkle, especially in sunlight!
Bohemian garnets came from Bohemia’s hills in Czechoslovakia and were very popular with the European upper class from the 1820s to the 1920s.
The brooch is in very good antique condition with minimal signs of wear. The surface of the gilt shows areas of slight wear, typical of antique jewelry. The safety clasp is fully functional, and there are no marks or stamps. There are no missing garnets and no signs of chipping or cracking. The pin is bent and slightly out of shape but secures firmly to the clothing. There are a few areas of discoloration on the back, which aren’t visible while wearing.
The brooch measures 3/4″ tall and 1/2″ wide and weighs 2.80 grams. The box is for display only.
I try to accurately depict the item in my photographs and the listing details. Please note the measurements in the description, as images can often make the item appear larger than the actual size.
I combine shipping on multiple orders!
To learn more about Bohemian garnets, read our blog post here: