Post subject: Hidden symbol on foil behind glass cabochon brooch...?
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:49 pm
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:30 pm Posts: 3
Hello, new to gemology, first post! Hoping to get some feedback on a vintage costume jewelry brooch (photos attached). My question is regarding the back- a superimposed half goat-half man/centaur with angel flying over. It’s a curious piece considering this image is on the rear of the brooch, ‘hidden’ on the foil under the dome. Any feedback of why this was done, how common it was, or what the images represent? Thank you in advance!
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BBE5781E-0464-4AC1-A94E-E2C10BD147B0.jpeg [ 712.79 KiB | Viewed 8847 times ]
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That's the body of a bull rather than a goat. It kind of looks like he's getting a garland put on his head? It's not any symbology I'm familiar with though--the Assyrian Lamassu has a man's head on a bull's body, but they also have wings.
Post subject: Re: Hidden symbol on foil behind glass cabochon brooch...?
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:09 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Almost looks like a foiled coin...even the milgrained edge. (aka coin edge) I went through all the sources I had for maker's marks on costume and came up with nothing.
Post subject: Re: Hidden symbol on foil behind glass cabochon brooch...?
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2019 10:15 am
Gold Member
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:05 am Posts: 1499
Barbra's comment inspired me to search for the coin. The foil impression was made with (probably a replica of) an ancient Greek coin "man-faced bull walking right being crowned by Nike".
You can google the phrase in quotes to come up with many images.
Post subject: Re: Hidden symbol on foil behind glass cabochon brooch...?
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2019 5:13 pm
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type
Joined: Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:30 pm Posts: 3
The help on this has been amazing! Thank you SO much. The coin thought led me to the info Brian found...the man bull with Nike over head. Thinking it’s a simple Benedict NY costume jewelry brooch, recent-ish. Nevertheless, it has been fun to figure this one out. Thanks again all for the help. Lots of smart peeps here!
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