Every now and then, you come across a piece that strikes deep into your soul. A piece of jewellery that shouts out from a dealer’s busy table. You can’t ignore it. Sometimes the treasure is hidden away, peeking out; other times, it’s front and centre, drawing your eye in. 

This series is all about those pieces. The items I’ve loved looking after. The objects that sneak the thought: “I hope this doesn’t sell soon, as I’ll get to keep it for a little longer.

On a sticky July Sunday in London, when trawling Adams Antiques Fairs, this Egyptian silver brooch did just that. 

Just look at it!

The hieroglyphs nestled on the river boat design. The oar, a mix of ancient Egyptian iconography and reeds. The prominent scarab beetle in the centre represents rebirth.  

But look closer, and it gets even better. The hieroglyphs shrink in size up the structure’s columns. The intricate work at each end of the boat.

All of this unites into an intoxicating interlocking piece. 

Even the silver itself, a cool hue that looks brilliant when pinned to clothing or stands out supremely as a display piece. 

Egyptian Revival Jewellery

I’m not the first to fall for Egyptian Revival jewellery - it’s a popular motif but because of that it’s increasingly difficult to find at reasonable prices. Most pieces come from three different ages:

• The early 1800s - Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Egypt just before the turn of the 19th Century and France erupted in a wave of motifs like obelisks, cameos and the everpopular sphinx.
• The late 1800s - Castellani amongst others repopulaised what was coined ‘archaeological revival’ jewellery. In some particularly rare examples, actual scarabs were set into lovely gold
• Art Deco King Tut-a-thon - King Tutankhamun’s tomb’s discovery once again sent the world Ancient Egypt obsessed. 

My piece - which found a new home within a day of being shared on my ‘first dibs’ WhatsApp group before it even made it to my store - dates a little later.

The tube hinge gave this away and it was stamped on the back by an Egyptian silversmith.

Finding A New Home

Hunting for antiques isn’t for the faint of heart. Online tools make it easier to identify things when out and about, but I always prefer the purist’s approach.

I rely on my gut, eye and experience, taking a calculated risk that the pieces I buy will find new homes for a tiny bit more than I paid. 

When handing over the cash for this one, the seller said: “I loved this piece. I only just bought it. Would you mind if I photograph it so I can look back at it and admire it?” 

That alone told me someone else would want this and I excitedly purchased it, ready to find its new owner. 

A very small sliver in my heart said “Keep it, Marco” but alas, onwards must the treasure go.

I hope you enjoy seeing this piece as much as I did.