Description
This item is handmade by Beth Miller Hall & cast in resin from a mold taken from an original in her collection. Any minor flaws are consistent with the original item. Gutta-percha was introduced to London between 1841 & 1843. It was initially used for insulation. At the 1851 Crystal Palace, large & small decorative items were displayed including sideboards & statuary. Not long after gutta-percha was introduced, a new substance called vulcanite which is made from the sap of a different tree & combined with sulfur was patented. Vulcanite & gutta-percha were both used in the production of 19th century jewelry & can be difficult to tell apart. Items made of vulcanite & gutta-percha were molded & therefore a large number of duplicate items could be produced in less time & with fewer individual craftsmen than it took to produce jewelry items from a carved material such as jet. This "mass production" allowed the price of vulcanite & gutta-percha jewelry to become more affordable than "handmade" jet pieces. Many gutta-percha items have survived since the 1800's & they have become highly collectable. Like vulcanite, gutta-percha jewelry items are usually made in two pieces: a back or base that can be either plain or have an ornate edge & the center medallion or focal point. The focal point is usually secured to the base with small pegs that do not go all the way through the base of the item. Sometimes there is also evidence of glue being used in addition to the pegs, but this may be from a later repair. The pin mechanism for a brooch is attached on the back of the base & the point of the pin stem usually extends past the edge of the brooch base. Because vulcanite & gutta-percha brooches were made in two pieces, it is very common to find the same top or focal point being used on a variety of bases. There seems to be a number of very popular tops that show up very often & not only on brooches but other bases like cuff bracelets, combs & even belt buckles, This leads to speculation that these items could have been sold in sets. This brooch is copied from a gutta-percha original that was the focal point of a sliding locket. The bible is sitting upon an anchor (strength), cross (Christian faith) & ivy (everlasting life). The verse referenced is Matthew 22:37-39 - Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart & with all your soul & with all your mind.' This is the first & greatest commandment. & the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (New International Version) We ship USPS First Class Mail twice per week. US shipping only at this time. Thank you for your interest! Bible Verse Brooch
