Rare antique Georgian period Cut Steel butterfly brooch.

Cut Steel was produced as far back as the Elizabethan period in England but developed into a serious concern in the 1700s as demand for the product grew. Part of what made cut steel possible was Industrial Age cheap labor (we're in pre-labor law territory). But this wasn't some assembly line product; every piece of cut steel manufactured took careful craftsmanship. The studs were made from decarbonated cast steel, which was case-hardened (a process where the outer "case" is hardened but the inside is soft), then the studs were faceted by cutting against a pewter wheel. Next were then polished with first fine emery and a hard brush, and then by hand with a special putty. Finally they were riveted onto pierced base plates which had to be drilled and cut by hand. This has a secondary base of brass under the Cut Steel front, the small riveted pieces can be seen at the back with the ‘mushroom effect’ that the back of the riveted piece is hammered gently to flatten it. In 1759, Louis XV encouraged nobility to donate their gold and gemstone jewellery to help fund the Seven Year. Cut steel jewellery, made of non-precious metal, was a good alternative, from shoe and belt buckles, ornate necklaces, earrings and so forth. Russian Empress Catherine the Great was an avid collector of Cut Steel jewellery and was painted wearing long necklaces made from Cut Steel

Weighs 9.3 grams Length 3.7cm Height 2.7cm Width just under 2mm

In very good condition for its age, the brooch clip at back intact and working. All the front pieces are good and intact.