{"product_id":"victorian-coral-leaf-fly-brooch","title":"Victorian Coral Leaf \u0026 Fly Brooch","description":"\u003cp\u003eA remarkable antique brooch comprising a huge piece of carved angelskin coral formed as a vine leaf and a life-sized pique housefly resting in the middle. Both entities are pretty realistic suggesting the creator(s) were familiar with grape leaves and houseflies, and it has a little loop at the top making it easily wearable as a pendant too. It dates from the early Victorian period, meaning that symbolism abounds: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe vine leaf, with its classical ties to Bacchus\/Dionysus, relates to abundance, fertility, nature's bounty, celebration, and revelry. But also note that the Victorians would often conflate general climbing vine symbolism with ivy: everlasting love, fidelity, and that sort of \u003cem\u003eI Cling To Thee\u003c\/em\u003e sentiment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\"Flies had symbolic significance in the 19th century: they were often used as representations of human mortality and by extension, spiritual humility. (It seems like almost everything in the Victorian era pointed toward the idea of Memento Mori.) More interestingly, flies were used to symbolize secrets or secret-keeping. Think of the fly on the wall which sees everything but tells no one.\" - Erica Weiner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn abundance of secrets, perhaps?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e***\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEra: Victorian, circa 1850\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: 6.0cm by 5.7cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStone: Natural Coral\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarks: None, tested as base metal and silver\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: Great antique condition; light wear consistent with age. A couple of minor chips to the edges of the leaf. All appears original.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lost Heirloom","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52672364478776,"sku":"LO3091","price":375.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/7387\/2952\/files\/Website-4459.jpg?v=1786312484","url":"https:\/\/lostowl.com\/products\/victorian-coral-leaf-fly-brooch","provider":"Lost Owl Jewelry","version":"1.0","type":"link"}