Georgian Vauxhall Glass Butterfly Brooch

No. 149

STORY:  Popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, Vauxhall glass jewellery was introduced by the Vauxhall Glass Company in an attempt to use the leftover shards of glass from their mirror factories. They quickly became popular and were sold at the nearby Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens - a place where London's elite were to be seen in the most trendy fashions.  Not many Vauxhall glass pieces have survived making them very collectable items. 

DESCRIPTION: Dating to the Georgian Regency or Early Victorian era this brooch is constructed from faceted clear mirror glass, glued onto a base metal with a black lacquer finish. The brooch is mounted with a brass coloured base metal C clasp. Not only for your favourite clothes but this brooch would be the perfect accessory for a bridal hairstyle! 

Condition:  The brooch has been lucky to survive 200 years however it does have tiny nibbles around the edges of the glass tiles which is to be expected with such jewellery. There is a chip to the top right wing tile however when worn looks as though it is part of the mirror reflection. The original black lacquer on the back has worn through to the brass in places. Amazingly, the tiny, delicate butterfly antennae, are completely intact! 

Era: Georgian - Early 1800s.

Measurements: 4cm wide, 3.5cm high

Hallmarks:  none

Materials:  Mirror Glass, Black Lacquer, Base Metal 

Provenance: England