It is rare for a jewel to reveal its provenance from so long ago without family history or paperwork. Yet due to dating and engraving to the reverse, we know a great deal of its evocative history.

The back is engraved with "William T. Lewis & Anne Rees" and beneath, "March 1, 1864." This was a wedding gift from a devoted husband to his wife.

Thanks to a generous and knowledgeable client AMM, this information was provided. "William Thomas Lewis married Anne Rees (d/o William Rees) on March 1, 1864 in Aberdare, St Elvan, Glamorganshire, Wales. William T. Lewis owned the Lewis Merthyr Consolidated Collieries Ltd (now the site of Rhonda Heritage Park) and was the 1st Baron Merthyr. A sculpture of him by Thomas Brock can be seen in Aberdare Park in Wales."

It is easy via the internet to uncover more details about this gentleman's legacy and history.

As for the brooch, there was a resurgence in neoclassical design during the 1860s. This style hearkens back to the 1790s, where enamel was again an inspiration for adornment and design. Even the use of red and white refers back to those years of the late 18th century.

Centered with a very fine, blue moonstone of 6.25 carats. it is clear and crystalline with an overall strong azure luminosity. It is bezel set into 15k gold.

The bow motif, slightly asymmetrical in its form, flows with a white enamel with minute gold detail. It's atop an oval form of a ribbon garland dotted with eight natural saltwater pearls each of 3 mm.

Crimson red guillotine enamel is translucent to allow its engine turned patterned to peek from underneath along with a stylized flower.

At the center that rapturous moonstone shows off its inherent glow with every move and turn. this still retains its original C clasp and tube hinge fittings.

It was later resold by the renowned firm D.S. Lavender and a box was created for it at the time of maroon, gold tooled leather with cream silk and black velvet.

A fine chain can be threaded through the area between the top knot of the bow and the ribbon area to use as a pendant.

The box interior reads, D.S. Lavender, D.S.Lavender (Antiques), Ltd., Fine Jewels, Literature, Works of Art, 166 Grafton Street, London W1X 3LA.