This beautiful brooch features 2 birds of Paradise in a sterling silver and marcasite setting. It is an Australian piece produced by Lega, Melbourne, makers of fine marcasite sterling silver jewellery from around 1948.
The brooch is marked to the back Lega and has the pattern number 514. It has a roll over locking type clasp and a securely hinged pin. There is an eyelet for a safety chain which is securely attached and ends with a silver pin for added security.
The silver brooch is bright, full of sparkle and presents beautifully with lovely dark patina to the silver. There is no damage or repairs and there are no missing stones.
This is the early version of this design, later versions were not as detailed, had glued in stones and were rhodium plated. The stones to this piece are all bead set meaning that each marcasite was hand set by drawing a little piece of the silver setting up and over the stones to hold them in place.
The brooch is 53mm x 47mm.
