This large antique brooch is made from polished New Zealand Jade or Greenstone and set in 9ct gold. It is known as Pounamu by the Maori. The gold band setting is prettily engraved to the front with ornate edges and the central band has a large fern motif with the letters NZ for New Zealand.
The greenstone is convex in shape and beautifully polished. The brooch secures with a large C type clasp and the gold pin is hinged with a tube hinge. The pin ends at the end of the brooch indicating it was made in the late 1890's.
The brooch was designed to be worn to secure the lace worn at the throat of clothing worn in the 1880's and 1890's.
There is no damage to this piece and no repairs. There is some light scuffing to the Z, we don't call this damage, as it can be polished out if so desired. The brooch is stamped 9c for 9ct gold to both ends.
The brooch is 70mm long x 10mm wide.
The brooch weighs 12.1gms.
