1900s Flanders Art Nouveau Pearl Horseshoe Sapphire Bow Brooch

This Art Nouveau brooch from the Flanders region, dating back to the 1900s, is crafted from 14k gold and adorned with pearls and sapphires. Flanders (comprising present-day northern Belgium and parts of France and the Netherlands) has been a pivotal European trade hub since the Middle Ages. The demand for luxurious jewelry from nobility and affluent families spurred the development of sophisticated metalworking techniques among local artisans. The design artfully combines a horseshoe and a bow, its three-dimensional structure creating a sense of airy, layered space. The horseshoe is composed of pearls, with the setting meticulously following the rounded contours of the pearls, forming a delicate beaded edge along the fluid U-shape. The bow is embellished with sapphires, accented with a pearl at its center, echoing the horseshoe. The sapphires are open-set, enhancing their luminous depth and highlighting the bow's supple, voluminous form. Beyond its exquisite design, this brooch carries beautiful symbolic meaning. The horseshoe signifies protection and good fortune, with the opening facing upwards representing the "reception of good luck," and facing downwards symbolizing the "spreading of good fortune to those around." The bow, in turn, represents romance and emotional connection. The combination of these two symbols conveys the sentiment of "lucky love" or "being cherished by love." The piece bears a "585" stamp, indicating its 14K gold composition. It can be worn as a brooch or, with the addition of a velvet ribbon, as a necklace, as demonstrated in the styling photo. A vintage velvet ribbon from our collection can be included as a gift if you note this request in your order. The brooch is in good antique condition, exhibiting normal signs of age and wear consistent with a century-old piece, not a brand-new item. Origin: Flanders Year: 1900s Material: 14k gold Gemstones: Sapphire, Pearl Dimensions: 2 x 1.9 x 0.9 cm Weight: 3.60g Condition: Good antique condition, with normal patina and signs of wear, marked with "585" for 14K gold. Item Number: BN029_2412 Purchase Guidelines: Antique jewelry refers to pieces "over a century old." Items less than a hundred years old are classified as vintage or second-hand jewelry. All jewelry sold by Xiang Cheng Antique Jewelry is accompanied by a brand certificate detailing the piece's era, materials, and other specifications. We offer a full refund if the item does not match the certificate. Prior to sale, each item's condition is meticulously documented using photographic equipment to ensure customers are fully aware of any imperfections or signs of wear. These photographs form an integral part of the item description. Therefore, we kindly request that customers carefully assess their purchasing intent before completing the checkout process. Due to the unique nature of our products, we unfortunately cannot accept returns or exchanges for any reason, including minor flaws or age-related depreciation, once the checkout process is finalized. We urge customers to reconfirm their purchase intent thoroughly before checkout to avoid any disputes. Shipping Methods: Enjoy "free shipping on any brooch purchase" for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan. All shipments within Taiwan will be sent via registered post. If registered mail is inconvenient, please indicate your preference for convenience store pickup (7-11 or FamilyMart) in your order notes, along with the store name or code. Shipments to Hong Kong and Macau will be sent via SF Express.