vintage silver and lapis "dolphin in the waves" Brooch

Dolphins are magical creatures for people who grew up along the shores of the Mediterranean like me - we love them for their elegance, their intellect, their friendliness and consider seeing them swim and playfully jump in and out of the waves next to traveling ships a good omen. This brooch, obviously hand-wrought, with its carved lapis lazuli dolphin, its silver waves crested with sea foam I have had for a couple of years but it’s only now that I finally decided to present it on the site. Beautifully made, with the pyrite speckles in the stone looking like droplets of water shimmering under the sun of the Aegean, it is a precious token of one’s love for the sea and everything that lives within it…

Size / Weight: 2 1/4” long by 1 3/16” wide; 13.1 grams

Hallmarks / Date: signed “STERLING” and having a second mark that is only partially visible (I am assuming a maker’s mark?); difficult to date with accuracy but the brooch has some age to it; I would suggest post-1960 (?)

Condition: excellent vintage with a beautiful stone that sparkles in the light, nice patina (you can always polish a little more), beautifully layered silver-work and no damage or repairs noted

Inv# 14490