What have I got here?

**wsk** · 21st November 06, 09:22 PM

Good evening Gents.

What have I got here?

Found it in a jewelry store and couldn't walk out without it. On my monitor the colors don't quite match what my eye sees in real life The purple in the photo is more blue.

[Edit] This is a photo of the hallmark on the reverse side of the brooch.

**Blu (Ontario)** · 21st November 06, 10:01 PM

Not sure.... but it looks eastern European or middle eastern rather than celtic.

Can you provide any other information... is it new?, second hand?, expensive?

I must confess, the Antiques Road Show I'm not!

.

**Riverkilt** · 21st November 06, 10:18 PM

Or Aztec, Incan, or Mayan....whatever it is is SURE is pretty. You done good.

Ron

**Big Dave** · 21st November 06, 10:20 PM

Don't know, but it's nice.

**Barry** · 22nd November 06, 03:47 AM

It looks to me like the long lost "Eye of Shivata" from the "Temple of Brahmapurian". Said to have been spewed from the eternal fires at the creation of the world it is supposed to give the wearer special powers. (Women will swoon at his approach, for example) However, if it should be attached to " coverings of the lower body that do not permit of free access to the spirit of the winds" then he who commits such a transgression shall be " cursed even unto eternity".
The story goes that in 1842, after quelling the uprising in Rajipanji, Captain Archibald 'Fanny' Featherstonehaugh of the 212th Highland Light Infantry found the ruins of the temple. Inside was an idol with the Eye of Shivata in the centre of its head. Captain Fanny prised the jewel out and caught up with his regiment. That evening he was given a pair of cotton trousers by one of the Indian orderlies as his uniform was needing repair. He used the 'eye' to secure his trousers as there were no other means to do so. That night it rained heavily and rain got into the good Captain's tent, soaking him though. 'Fanny' was oblivious, having downed not a few pink gins afore bed.
In the morning loud screams were heard emanating from his tent. Sergeant Andrew McAndrew rushed in to find the Captain in agony. The trousers had shrunk and were crushing his nether parts. Swiftly McAndrew siezed the jewel, thus releasing the pressure, and flung the accursed gem out of the tent, where it fell into the swift flowing river. The curse of Shivata has struck again!!
Captain Featherstonehaugh recovered, but he had no offspring and could never dance the foxtrot. The natives considered the jewel was lost for ever ... until now?

On the other hand it could just be a really neat accesory for your kilt ;)

**JimB** · 22nd November 06, 07:06 AM

Hilarious!
I love it!

**wsk** · 22nd November 06, 07:16 AM

Oh, dear! Oh, my!

I knew that if I asked here that there would be one amongst who could add a piece of the puzzle. I just knew. And what a stunning discovery! A man of Barry's stature (who in real life is the famous Throckmocter P. Guildershew, Citizen Palientologist - my apologies for revealing your true identity Mr Guildershew), who is steeped in the myth and lore of the Rajipanji peoples! Astonishing! Of course the mystery continues. Questions. Questions. Questions.

How did the Eye of Shivata get from the wilds of India to a backwater town in the arid US west? How many have suffered as poor Captian Featherstonehaugh? Am I or my family in any danger from the jealous followers of Shivata?

Oh, dear! Oh, my!

**Rex_Tremende** · 22nd November 06, 07:53 AM

Panache, looks like you've got competition!

Rex.

**wsk** · 22nd November 06, 07:58 AM

I didn't want to influence any opinions by telling what I know straight away. This is what the appraisal description says:

"One sterling brooch containing one round 17.3mm amethyst. The brooch also has red, green, blue, and white enamel. The brooch is from the arts and Crafts period, circa 1900."

What isn't included in the description is the maker's mark on the back: four stamps: an 'L' in gothic script, an anchor, a lion, and the initials "R.Bs". At the shop where I purchased it another who favored kilts had immediately known that the brooch was for a kilt. It was my mention of kilts that caused the proprietor show me the brooch.

So, given its Arts and Crafts heritage, where objects of nature were common subjects, a plant - like the thistle for instance - might be abstracted and combined with a ringed- (or Celtic-) cross. That's my guess and I'm sticking to it until convinced by a more rational explanation. Or it could be that it's more one than the other and just an exercise in decoration. Or it's none of the above. That's why I asked you all.