VINTAGE Ciro Costume Jewelry Salamander Brooch.

Since the beginning of time, man has assigned meaning to the motifs and adornments used in their creations. The Victorians were particularly fascinated with nature and science, yet still concerned about spirits and the supernatural, so their jewelry and decor often featured animals and themes thought to bring a certain auspicious aura to the wearer. The salamander represents immortality, rebirth, passion, and the ability to withstand flames; considering that Victorians were brining gas lighting into their homes at breakneck speed, I suspect there were plenty of house fires to commemorate. This piece is made by Ciro, so it can't be Victorian, as they didn't come into existence until 1917, sixteen years after the end of Victoria's reign. They still make jewelry today, so it really could have been made at any time in between. Today, their jewelry is made of sterling silver plated in 18k gold; I can't make that claim for this piece, as I don't know when it was made, and it has no markings other than the "CIRO" branding.

I can tell you that it's a beautiful piece, with emerald green rhinestones for the eyes, pink rhinestones forming the scales of the body, and a pave of silvery sparkle down the back. It's in excellent vintage condition, with no noticeable signs of age or wear. It's a lithe 4-1/2" long, but not super heavy, giving you a lot of bling per ounce! The actually pin is about 2" long, so it's a great piece to add to a thick wool coat or a layered scarf. Or give it as a gift to show the rebirth of your flameproof passion!