Virgin Mary FIX Gold-Filled Brooch, Signed Tairac, c. 1920

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This antique Virgin Mary brooch is signed Tairac and bears the French FIX mark on the reverse. Described as 18-carat gold-filled, it measures 3 × 2 cm and is offered in excellent condition, with an estimated date of circa 1920. It is attributed to Arthus Bertrand based on the design and the connections discussed below, although it does not bear their maker’s mark.

This beautiful brooch depicting The Virgin Mary is signed by Tairac and has the FIX mark on the reverse. Although it does not bear the Arthus Bertrand mark, I attribute it to them as both Tairac and FIX worked closely with Arthus Bertrand and I have had a medal of The virgin Mary by them and it is identical to the centre piece on this brooch.

There is another example of this brooch on Etsy and it is currently on sale for 495 euros. Arthus Bertrand still make plated medals and jewelry and a piece this size from the would actually cost more that=n the 495 euros.

This beautiful medal was designed by Tairac, the famous French medallic artist. It is, though, quite difficult to give an accurate date to this medal as Tairac was most active around 1900 and Arthus-Bertrand, jewellers and maker of medals and decorations, was founded in Paris in 1803 by Claude Arthus-Bertrand, an army officer during the French Revolution. Artists who have designed for the firm include Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (sculptor of the Statue of Liberty) and Fernand Léger. This particular design is no longer in their catalogue and I estimate it was made around 1920.

Arthus Bertrand still make similar medals and use designs by Tairac as well as others:

Arthus-Bertrand has had many distinguished clients to include the French government. It is the official manufacturer of the French Legion of Honor and has made insignia for the Society of the Cincinnati and the Order of Lafayette.

It is 18 carat gold filled which is called 'FIX' here in France. This method involves pressing two sheets of gold onto a metal which is usually silver or copper.

With fix you can see where the two sheets of gold have been joined at the edge. It means there is a lot more gold on a fixe medal or brooch than normal gold plating. In fact companies that buy gold will not buy plated items but will buy FIX because of the high gold content.

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