Vintage 1960 Damascene brooch

Vintage 1960 Damascene brooch
chiseled by hand
18k or 24k gold plated (not tested)
Very good vintage condition for its age some patina
Safety piston clasp missing piston but still able to use
- a few areas where the gold has faded, uniform patina due to its age
- traces of rust on the leaves but given its age in no way harms the retro look of the brooch

This labor-intensive technique is a surface decoration of engraving and metal plating. The jewelry is often made of steel or other base metal in which precious metals (usually 18 and24 k gold) are placed in groves on a small surface, the hammered in place. The black background is created by the oxidation of a very hot solution used to darken the background, creating magical scenes and stories.

Note that damascene work was also introduced throughout Asia between 710-794 AD. It was extremely popular in Kyoto, Japan during the Edo period (1603 – 1868) when it was used to decorate sword handles before it became popular in jewelry.