Victorian Brooch of Carved Bog Oak

Victorian Brooch of Hand Carved Bog Oak

Victorian brooch - Original mid-Victorian era carved Irish Bog Oak brooch of an Irish Abbey. This is a nice sized brooch - measuring 1 3/4/8" in diameter, with period correct tube hinge and "c" clasp closure with pin back extending beyond the body of the brooch by 1/2", consistent with brooches of the early and mid-Victorian era. Brooch is in good condition - the "c" part of the clasp does wiggle a bit but is still sound.

During the Victorian era, the carved Abbey was a very popular motif in carved bog oak jewelry from Ireland, popular souvenir pieces from a European Grand Tour. Ancient forests once covered Ireland. Huge oaks, yew and pine that grew and died since the last ice age, some 10,000 years ago. The ruthless farming techniques of our stone age farmers, along with dramatic changes in climate, eventually killed much of this original tree cover. The term bog-oak is often used to describe all types of bog-wood; in other counties, bog-deal is used in the same way. There are three main types of bog-wood - oak, pine & yew. The Victorians loved bog oak jewelry, and it was often purchased as a souvenir of a memorable trip to Ireland.

Take a look at my other original Victorian brooches! http://www.etsy.com/shop/victoriansentiments?section_id=7179660