Silver - Brooch - Lizards & Turtle Silver

Set of 3 Silver Brooches with Marcasite – Lizards & Turtle – France / 20th century – 925 & 800 Silver

A charming and decorative collection of three silver animal brooches set with sparkling marcasite stones. The group includes two lizards and one turtle, each crafted with great detail and fitted with red glass cabochon eyes. Beautiful vintage pieces with classic Art Deco influence, suitable for wearing or collecting.

Details of the pieces

Large lizard brooch
• Dimensions: 7.5 × 3 × 0.7 cm
• Silver: Sterling 925, marked
• Condition: Very good, marcasites , working pin
• Elegant curved body with refined marcasite pavé

Small lizard brooch
• Dimensions: 5.5 × 1 × 0.7 cm
• Silver: 800, French hallmark Boar’s head (Tête de Sanglier) = used in France from 1838 onwards for 800 silver
• Condition: Very good
• Red eyes and fine hand-set marcasite stones

Turtle brooch
• Dimensions: 3.5 × 2 × 1 cm
• Silver: 800, French boar’s head hallmark
• Also bears a French maker’s mark (partially unreadable)
• Detailed shell, set entirely with marcasites


• Boar’s head (France) – indicates silver of 800/1000 fineness, used on small jewellery items since 1838.
• 925 mark – indicates sterling silver, common in international production.

Marcasite creates a distinctive, elegant shimmer, similar to tiny diamonds, but with a darker, antique appearance. It adds depth and texture to jewellery and was especially favoured in 1880–1940 designs.
In jewellery, marcasite refers to faceted pyrite used as decorative stones. Although true mineral marcasite exists, it is too brittle to cut, so jewellers have always used iron pyrite, but the trade name marcasite has remained.

All three brooches are in very good vintage condition, with working clasps and nearly all marcasites intact.
No restorations detected.
Minor signs of age consistent with normal wear.

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