Victorian Pearl Ass Pan Vanitas Brooch

A weighty Victorian-era brooch with a sense of humor. The cheeky figure depicted here, in 14k yellow gold, is Pan. God of fields, groves, and wooded glens, with the hindquarters, legs, and horns of a goat, Pan is also associated with fertility and Spring. Here he plays a flute, whose little flute holes are set with seed pearls; a larger pearl is affixed to his bum. Sorry guys! These pearls resemble the bubbles we see in vanitas paintings and drawings, where they are usually being blown by Eros, only to fade a moment later. We think this weird and wonderful brooch has the same idea— it is an expertly carved statement about sexual desire and the here-and-gone nature of our mortal existence. Eros and Thanatos— Chew on that while you baffle the world with this brooch. This is a rarity. Closure is a locking c catch.

Materials

14k gold
Pearl

Age

c. 1900

Dimensions

Measurements to follow