Cloisonne Enamel Appraisal

Cloisonné Enamel Fish Brooch

This is a decorative brooch crafted in the shape of a fish, likely representing a tropical or Angelfish species due to its fin configuration and body shape. The brooch features vibrant cloisonné enamel work, a technique where thin wires are used to create compartments that are then filled with colored enamel. The primary color palette consists of various shades of blue and green, applied to the body and fins. The fish's body is adorned with circular motifs in red, orange, and yellow, adding a contrasting and playful element to its design. The wire work, which outlines these patterns and the fish's features, appears to be made of a gold-toned metal, possibly brass or gilt metal, which also forms the base of the brooch. The texture created by the enamel and wire gives the piece a tactile quality. The craftsmanship seems detailed, with each enamel segment neatly confined within its wire outline, suggesting a relatively good quality of execution for this type of jewelry. There are no immediately visible signs of significant wear, damage, or repairs from the provided image, though a closer inspection would be needed to confirm the absence of chips or cracks in the enamel, or tarnish to the metal. The item weighs 9 grams as indicated by the digital scale. This style of enamel work is often associated with Asian artistic traditions, particularly from the early to mid-20th century onwards, or reproductions thereof. It functions as a piece of costume jewelry designed to be pinned onto clothing.