Early 20th Century German Meyle & Mayer Enamel Swallow Brooch in Silver, with Box

This early 20th century German brooch is made in silver, decorated with translucent blue enamel and set with glass stones. It was made by Meyle & Mayer, the Pforzheim jewellery house founded in 1887.

Pforzheim, often known as the Goldstadt or “City of Gold,” was one of the most important jewellery-making centres in Europe around the turn of the 20th century. Meyle & Mayer was among the notable German Jugendstil jewellery makers of the period, especially associated with enamel work and naturalistic designs.

This brooch takes the form of a swallow. The body and wings are covered with translucent blue enamel, allowing the engraved metal surface beneath to show through and create variations of tone. The head is more naturalistically modelled, while the body and tail feathers are elongated into slender, open lines, reflecting the linear quality often seen in Art Nouveau design.

The brooch measures approximately 8 cm in length. While large brooches were not unusual during the Art Nouveau period, Meyle & Mayer’s enamel jewels are often more restrained in scale, making the length and proportion of this example especially notable. When worn on the shoulder, the swallow appears as if it has paused briefly before taking flight again.

The brooch comes with a fitted presentation box. The box closely corresponds to the size and shape of the brooch, though we cannot confirm whether it is the original box. It will be included with the piece.

The brooch is in antique condition consistent with age. There are areas of enamel loss, several missing glass stones, and visible oxidation to the reverse. As condition assessment can be subjective, please click and enlarge the photographs to review the details carefully.