Antique coral brooch

Antique, mid 19th Century, absolutely gorgeous coral brooch. Top quality, quite rare brooch NOTE Coral was at the height of fashion between 1845 and 1865, and worn in all possible forms: either carved as beads, naturalistic sprays of leaves and flowers, or left simply in its natural branch form. Most coral on the market at the time was carved in Italy, especially in Genoa and Naples. The colour of the coral of this parure was much favoured and plentiful at the time in the Bay of Naples. For similar examples see: D. Bennett, D. Mascetti, Understanding Jewellery, Revised Edition 2004, page 107; G.Munn, Tiaras, a History of Splendour, Woodbridge 2001, page 49, plate 30